The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joseph D. Doherty (MCSN: 469144), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, on 20 and 21 November 1943. Separated from his unit during landing operations on D-Day, Private First Class Doherty, on his own initiative, fearlessly braved the enemy’s fierce opposition to assume a position in the front line area. With two other Marines in a forward sector of the battlefield on the following morning when the Japanese suddenly attacked, he fought furiously to repulse the bitter onslaught with accurate grenade and rifle fire then skillfully covered the withdrawal of his companions from the danger area. When the enemy attempted to set up a machine gun behind our lines later that same day, he again beat back the attackers and, after exposing himself to draw the fire in a subsequent engagement, succeeded in killing four Japanese snipers, thereby preventing serious casualties to our troops. By his dauntless perseverance, indomitable fighting spirit and cool courage in the face of grave peril, Private First Class Doherty contributed materially to the success of our operations against this vital hostile stronghold and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.