Leonard A. Svec

Gunnery Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Leonard A. Svec (MCSN: 311482), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Aircraft Group TWENTY-THREE during the bombardment of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, by enemy Japanese surface and air forces on the early morning of October 16, 1942.
When the terrific fire of a Japanese surface craft blasted and felled a tree which killed one marine and seriously wounded another caught beneath it, Sergeant Svec, at great risk of his life, voluntarily rushed out in the face of intense Japanese fire, and with several companions succeeded in extricating their wounded comrade and getting him prompt medical attention.
The unselfish initiative and heroic efforts of Sergeant Svec and his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.