For outstanding service as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division during the attack on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Gavutu in the Solomon Islands, he was awarded the Navy Cross and for the subsequent occupation and defense from August 7 to December 9, 1942, received the Medal of Honor.
For en fremragende indsats som general for 1. marinedivision under angrebet på Guadalcanal, Tulagi og Gavutu på Salomonøerne blev han tildelt Navy Cross og for den efterfølgende besættelse og forsvaret fra 9. august til 9. december 1942 blev han tildelt Medal of Honor.