The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Walter J. Kohnke (MCSN: 531606), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, on 21 July 1944. When the machine gun he was defending was temporarily put out of action, Private First Class Kohnke crawled forward of the gun position and, with the aid of another Marine, covered the weapon while the gunner worked to restore it to action. Although his companion was fatally wounded while they were repulsing a fifteen man attack, he continued to defend the position until the machine gun was once more operable. His indomitable fighting spirit, courage in the face of hostile attack and devotion to duty reflect great credit on Private First Class Kohnke and the United States Naval Service.