The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Leroy L. Johns (MCSN: 437068), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company M, Third Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville Island, on 16 December 1943. Courageously volunteering to assist in carrying a stretcher to a dangerous position in front of friendly lines where a wounded pharmacist’s mate was lying, Private First Class Johns braved hostile fire to help place the casualty on the stretcher and, when Japanese sniper fire mortally wounded his companion, boldly went on to administer first aid to another casualty. Undaunted by the continued enemy fire, he assisted hospital corpsmen in evacuating both wounded men to safety. By his unselfishness, indomitable courage and initiative in the face of grave personal risk, Private First Class Johns upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.