The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal John William Engel (MCSN: 436248), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on December 21, 1943. Despite painful wounds received when his reconnaissance patrol encountered a numerically superior Japanese force, Corporal Engel courageously moved forward to cover the remainder of his patrol. Unhesitatingly attacking an enemy machine gun, he momentarily silenced it with a hand grenade, thereby contributing to the evasive action of the patrol and enabling his comrades to continue in their mission before he himself was mortally wounded. Corporal Engel’s splendid initiative and valiant devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.