The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Stuart J. Volan (MCSN: 340344), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Regimental Intelligence Observer of the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tenaru Sector, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, August 21, 1942. By his accurate and timely observation and report of enemy activity, Private First Class Volan rendered valuable service until the communication wire from his station to the Command Post had been severed. Promptly taking a position on the front lines, he engaged the enemy in furious hand-to-hand combat and aided effectively in driving back the enemy with great losses and in preventing them from establishing a foothold on the western side of the Tenaru River. Later, when action had subsided, he made his way through the bullet-swept area to make his report to the Regimental Command Post.