The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Thomas A. Watson (MCSN: 0-14735), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while a member of the Fifth Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on November 1-3, 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Second Lieutenant Watson, along with another officer informed a forward observer liaison team which rendered invaluable service to a battalion which was in direct support of other Marines. Under almost constant fire from hostile artillery, machine guns and snipers, he maintained continuous observation and communication under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. Wherever required, he not only called for and observed supporting artillery fires in front of the battalion, but also from adjacent units of Marines which were at times out of communication with supporting artillery units. His courageous aggressiveness was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.