Silver Star, to /
Capt. Fe lon Durand

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Admiral Nimitz Pins Medal on
Junction Citian for Gallantry
in Action at Tarawa.

Capt. Fenlon A. Durand, U. 8.
Marine Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs.
F. A. Durand, 335 West Chestnut
street, has been awarded the Silver
Star medal for gallantry and in-
trepidity in action against the en-
emy in the bitter fighting at Ta-
rawa in the Gilbert Islands, ac-
cording to word received by his}
parents.

The award was presented to him |}
by Admiral Nimitz at an undis-
closed point in the Pacific an|
March 1. Many other awards for |
the action at ‘Tarawa were present-
ed at the same time.

The citation accompanying the
award stated:

“For conspicuous gallantry and |
intrepidity during action against
geomy Japanese forces in Tarawa, |
Gilbert Islands, November 20, 1943, |
while serving with the Secondf Am- |
phibian Tractor Battalion, Second
Marine Division. While leading
his company of amphibian tractors
during the initial assault on this
island, Captain Durand’s command
tractor was unmobilized and Set
afire one hundred yards from the
beach ‘by enemy shell fire.

“Taking command of the infan-
try troops in his tractors, he caus-
ed them to abandon the tractor and
disperse in the shallow water
shortly before two more enemy
shells completely demolished the.
tractor. In the water he found
his crew chief who had been blown
out of the tractor and was suffer-
ing from Numerous __ shrapnel
wounds and the loss of both legs.

“Although subjected to concen-
trated enemy. sniper. and machine
gun fire, Captain Durand impro-
vised tourniquets and rendered
first aid to his crew chief. Thea,
with utter disregard for his own
personal safety, he supported the
wounded marine in the water and
swam with him for more than an
hour in an effort to save his crew
chief's life., His gallant courage
and heroic ‘conduct were in keep-
ing with the highest traditions of
the United States Marine Corps.”