The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John D. Duplantis (MCSN: 0-15449), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 11 May 1945. Completely disregarding his own safety in the face of concentrated automatic weapons fire, First Lieutenant Duplantis crawled forward of the friendly lines and maneuvered into a position from which he could see the enemy firing. Unable to determine the exact position of the Japanese guns, he stood up and, by exposing himself to the full brunt of the hostile fire, succeeded in giving the locations of several weapons to his commanding officer. While giving the urgently needed information about still another gun, he was mortally wounded. By his courage, skill and aggressive fighting spirit, he not only gave encouragement to his comrades, but also supplied information which contributed immeasurably to the success of an extremely hazardous mission. His heroic conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Duplantis and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.