The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Robert H. Thomas (MCSN: 276657), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on the night of September 13-14, 1942. Separated from his Communication Platoon when the positions of his battalion were under severe attack by the Japanese, Corporal Thomas, on his own initiative, proceeded with four of his comrades to the front lines and fiercely engaged the enemy in close combat. His great personal valor during this action, in which he was wounded, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.