The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert S. Tolles (MCSN: 0-13242), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Forward Artillery Observer attached to the Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville, Solomon, Islands on November 29, 1943. Encountering violent enemy opposition while attempting to advance inland after landing with a parachute battalion, First Lieutenant Tolles courageously and skillfully assisted in conducting the fire of a 155-mm. artillery battery and of a destroyer supporting the battalion’s operations throughout a fierce seven hour battle. Exposing himself to hostile small arms and mortar fire he moved about the hazardous area in order to obtain observations and during the withdrawal of the troops, continued to control and direct the fire of the supporting artillery with such ability and fearlessness that strategically located enemy machine guns and mortars were silenced. First Lieutenant Tolles’ outstanding skill and valiant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.