The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Rudolph S. Teerela (MCSN: 202511), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Second Marine Raider Battalion against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on November 11, 1942. When a hostile machine gun held up the advance of the company, Sergeant Major Teerela with utter disregard for his own personal safety daringly led an assault against the enemy destroying the gun and its crew. His initiative, courage and heroic devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.