The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John W. Geddings (MCSN: 331355), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Marine parachute battalion during an attack against enemy Japanese forces on Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands in November 1943. Encountering an ambush of approximately twenty Japanese while he was leading the point of a combat patrol, Private First Class Geddings attempted to open fire but found his weapon inoperative. Armed only with hand grenades, he used them with great effectiveness, doggedly holding his ground in the face of heavy fire and causing numerous casualties which contributed materially to the speedy rout of the enemy. His aggressive fighting spirit and cool courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.