The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John J. Flynn (MCSN: 369496), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 15 June 1944. Separated from his platoon leader a short distance inland following the landing operations on D-Day, Corporal Flynn promptly organized a rifle squad and two machine gun squads in his immediate vicinity despite the enemy’s shattering artillery and small arms fire and, gallantly leading them forward in a brilliantly executed attack, succeeded in neutralizing a heavily-fortified hostile strong point. Repeated exposing himself to the firer barrage, he continued directing the effective fire of his unit until wounded by a bursting enemy shell and forced to evacuate the area. By his daring initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and fearless leadership in the face of grave peril, Corporal Flynn contributed materially to the success of the operation and his zealous devotion throughout the bitter hostilities was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.