The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant John J. Gately (MCSN: 0-8081), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of a Machine Gun Platoon, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces along the coast of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 August 1942. While proceeding through the dense underbrush in enemy-controlled territory, Second Lieutenant Gately, several feet in advance of his men, was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper concealed in a well camouflaged position. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he managed to get to his feet after being struck down, and shot and killed the enemy sniper. Persisting in his valiant effort to carry out the orders of his superior officer, he attempted to crawl to his platoon but collapsed from the effort. His fortitude and courage at the risk of his life reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.