The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Joe C. Maida (NSN: 3566069), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands while serving as a Medical Corpsman with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO (VMB-232), on 3 November 1942. With cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Maida, in the midst of a tremendous hostile barrage on a beach road west of a river, proceeded to the aid of three men who had been wounded. By his heroic conduct, maintained at great risk in the face of grave danger, he undoubtedly saved the lives of comrades who otherwise might have perished. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.