The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Oliver J. Willman (MCSN: 342293), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-224), during the bombardment of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands by enemy Japanese surface to air forces on the night of 13 – 14 October 1942. When a heavy enemy shell truck dangerously close to a bomb shelter, burying five marines under a mass of earth and debris, Corporal Willman, hearing cries for help, voluntarily exposed himself to the intense fire of hostile shells and bombs and with several other men set to work rescuing their imprisoned comrades. Due to the quick thinking and heroic efforts of Corporal Willman and his companions, two of the buried men were saved and the bodies of the other three marines were recovered. His unswerving devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.