The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John M. Durrant (MCSN: 461606), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of Company K, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Mount Chachao, Guam, Mariana Islands, on the early morning of 29 July 1944. When one of the Marines in his foxhole was killed and the other wounded as an enemy soldier armed with a grenade hurled himself into the foxhole, Private First Class Durrant met two more of the oncoming enemy at the edge of the position, gathered them into his arms and hurled them to the ground. Despite a painful wound in his leg, he held the two down until a Marine from a near-by foxhole arrived to annihilate them with a rifle butt. With his companion, he then met the two remaining Japanese and killed them at the edge of the foxhole. After assisting to bring his wounded companion to safety, he returned to the line, where he remained until forced to be evacuated for medical treatment. By his courage and aggressive spirit, Private First Class Durrant aided materially in repulsing the attack of the enemy, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.