Orle S. Bergner’s Silver Star citation

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

SERGEANT ORLE S. BERGNER, USMCR.,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Battalion, Second Marines, Reinforced, in action against Japanese forces during the invasion of enemy-controlled territory in the Solomon Islands Area, August 7, 1942.Although subjected to withering fire from a cave nearby and endangered by the perilously close bands of fire from his own machine-gun cover, Sergeant Bergner crept forward to a hostile pillbox, remained in a precarious position until he had planted an explosive several feet below the ground, then hastily withdrew to observe the destruction of the largest pillbox on Tanambogo Island. While supervising all demolition work on the island, he repeatedly crawled to the edges of sniper caves and dugouts and, with cool and expert timing, threw his dynamite charges into the enemy entrenchments a split second before they exploded. His daring aggressiveness and superb fighting skill, maintained throughout a period when his safety was imminently threatened, contributed to the marines’ success in smashing all Japanese resistance on Tanambogo Island and were in keeping with the  highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,
Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy.