Wesley C. Behland’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WESLEY C. BEHLAND,
U.S.M.C.R.,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on the night of October 13-14, 1942. Voluntarily hurrying to fires started by enemy incendiaries and intense heavy shelling by a Japanese battleship offshore, Private First Class Behland and two other marines succeeded in putting out two fires during the height of the bombardment and assisted in combating another in an adjacent area. When a direct hit on a dugout trapped five of his comrades, he fearlessly went to their aid and assisted in extricating the wounded and removing them to a place of safety. As the Army units had just moved into bivouac that night and were undergoing their initial experience under fire, he and other marines made a reconnaissance of the area, offering assistance and looking for the wounded whom they removed to safety. His cool courage and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,
Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy.