The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Manuel M. Maya, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to the THIRD Marine Division during the assault on a strongly fortified enemy position on Puruata Island on 1 November 1943. Although painfully wounded, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Maya continued to administer first aid to his wounded comrades until the firing subsided. Refusing to be evacuated when the battle was resumed, he moved from man to man giving medical assistance to his companions as they fell. 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.