The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Kenneth Simon Ayotte (MCSN: 444305), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 26 December 1943. Voluntarily manning a machine gun on an amphibious tractor as it moved forward from the assault company’s lines, Private Ayotte fought with skill and daring aggressiveness despite withering hostile machine gun and rifle fire and, on at least two crucial occasions, courageously retrieved hand grenades which had landed in the tractor and hurled them back at the enemy. Private Ayotte’s heroic initiative and fearless conduct in the face of imminent peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.