The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private James P. Leavy (MCSN: 344876), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during combat with enemy Japanese forces at the mouth of the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 27 September 1942. Realizing that his corporal had been severely wounded and was unable to crawl out of danger, Private Leavy assisted in rescuing him from the river and, placing himself as a shield between the enemy and his injured companion, escorted him for a distance of fifty yards across an open sand pit, swept by enemy machine-gun fire, to the first aid station. By his great personal valor Private Leavy undoubtedly saved the life of his comrade who otherwise might have perished.