The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant John J. Loughrey (MCSN: 0-22128), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 9 July 1944, and on Tinian, Mariana Islands, from 24 to 29 July 1944. When in the face of Japanese artillery airbursts and mortar fire, during the invasion and occupation of Saipan, the First and Second Battalions were sustaining heavy casualties, Second Lieutenant Loughrey directed his platoon in neutralizing these devastating points of resistance. Through his exceptional ability to employ his platoon and his effective use of grenades, rifles, machine-gun fire, and a flamethrower, he successfully completed the entire mission without loss to his personnel. While moving forward with his scouts to attack enemy emplacements on 29 July, during the Tinian operations, Second Lieutenant Loughrey was killed by Japanese fire. His valiant spirit of self-sacrifice and steadfast devotion to the accomplishment of a dangerous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.