The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Joseph August Jablonicky, Jr. (MCSN: 800985), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Acting Machine-Gun Squad Leader, serving with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Sugar Loaf Hill, Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 21 May 1945. When the fury of fire from a Japanese position prevented the evacuation of a number of casualties during a hostile counterattack, Corporal Jablonicky quickly manned his gun and, from an exposed position, opened fire on the enemy emplacement, delivered covering fire for thirty minutes until the wounded men could be evacuated. Mortally wounded during this action, Corporal Jablonicky, by his outstanding courage and steadfast devotion to duty, unquestionably saved many lives and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.