The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant John E. Kennedy (MCSN: 190359), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 7 August 1942. When three men of his platoon were seriously wounded by enemy machine-gun fire, Gunnery Sergeant Kennedy, without regard for his own personal safety, courageously rushed the Japanese position and, with accurate use of hand grenades, neutralized the effectiveness of the hostile fire. His outstanding heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.