The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joseph G. Lankus (MCSN: 447489), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines (Engineer), SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, on 4 August 1944. When his platoon was suddenly brought under heavy enemy grenade and rifle fire from a cave, pinning down the advancing troops and inflicting several casualties, Private First Class Lankus approached the mouth of the cave in the face of heavy hostile fire and, armed only with demolition charges, succeeded in neutralizing the strongpoint and enabled stretcher bearers to evacuate the wounded. His courage, perseverance and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.