The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel John W. Easley (MCSN: 0-5184), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 2 August 1944. When a large number of hostile troops launched a savage onslaught against the battalion command post, pinning down all personnel with intense machine-gun and small arms fire, Lieutenant Colonel Easley unhesitatingly exposed himself to a withering barrage from Japanese weapons and skillfully directed his units throughout the violent counterattack which followed, fighting with determined aggressiveness until he was fatally wounded by enemy fire. By his inspiring leadership and great personal valor in the face of grave peril, Lieutenant Colonel Easley enabled his men to annihilate the hostile force, and his selfless conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of The United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.