Walter H. Cuenin’s Silver Star citation

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

CAPTAIN WALTER H. CUENIN, USMC.,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the New Britain Area on March 7 and 9, 1944. Proceeding through dense jungle undergrowth during a torrential downpour, Captain Cuenin led his company up a steep ridge in an effort to prevent a flanking attack on the heavily engaged advance guard unit of his battalion. Skillfully deploying his men, he led them in a swift, vigorous attack, constantly exposing himself to heavy fire in order to direct the fighting and maintaining his determined tactics until the enemy was destroyed. On the following day, he moved a reinforced company over steep terrain three thousand yards beyond his battalion’s position to occupy Talasea Airstrip and, by this threat to the hostile line of communication, was instrumental in forcing the Japanese withdrawal and in eliminating the necessity of a costly assault by our forces on a heavily entrenched enemy position. Captain Cuenin’s gallant fighting spirit and inspiring leadership throughout this critical operation were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

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Born: Malden, Mass…. Home of record: Malden, Mass.