The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Don K. DeLaney (MCSN: 416485), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an automatic rifleman attached to a Combat Patrol of the Ninth Marines during an engagement with enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands, on 7 November 1943. When his patrol, operating along the Numa Numa-Piva Trail encountered a company of Japanese infantry, Private DeLaney and another Marine skillfully attacked and killed an enemy grenadier and then put a hostile machine-gun nest out of action. Wounded in the leg by a hostile sniper, Private DeLaney killed his assailant and, although suffering acutely from his injury, joined a comrade in attacking and destroying another machine-gun nest. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he continued to expose himself to enemy attack by machine guns and snipers in order to fire effectively through heavy jungle growth. Dauntlessly persisting in his efforts to complete his perilous mission, he was mortally wounded by a bursting grenade but continued to fire at the enemy until he died. Private DeLaney’s great personal valor and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.