Silver Star to
vapl. Fenton Durand

{
‘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 on|

/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
/Srepidity during. action against

Gilbert Islands, November 20, 1943,

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

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-

with utter disregard for his own
personal safety, he supported the

chief's life. His gallant courage
and heroic conduct were in keep-

 

the United States Marine Corps.”

enemy Japanese forces in Tarawa,

while serving with the Second Am-

shells completely demolished the

trated enemy sniper and machine |
gun fire, Captain Durand impro- |
vised tourniquets and _ rendered |
first aid to his crew chief. Thea,.

wounded marine in the water and |
swam with him for more than an |
hour in an effort to save his crew |

ing with the highest traditions of |