The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Michael Ryan Yunck (MCSN: 0-7484), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while detached to a detachment of Marine Observation Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VMO-251), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 26 October to 10 December 1942. In this prolonged series of intense hostile activities, First Lieutenant Yunck, displaying superb airmanship participated in numerous hazardous missions, serving as leader of an eight-plane flight of fighters during the latter part of the period. On one occasion when his plane was so badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire that he was forced to land in the sea, First Lieutenant Yunck, through his own resourcefulness and sheer determination, made his way back, after three weeks, to his base on Guadalcanal to resume flight duties. Later, while leading a four-plane fighter group, he personally accounted for three of six enemy aircraft shot down in a vigorous engagement, and in this action received such extensive damage to his own plane that all the navigational instruments ceased to function. Despite this severe handicap and under extremely adverse conditions imposed by darkness and heavy rain, First Lieutenant Yunck, with excellent judgment and superior professional ability, successfully returned to his base. His dauntless courage and valiant devotion to duty in the face of great odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service.