The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John T. McEnroe (MCSN: 309119), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of a Demolition Team of Company C, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, from 15 September to 20 October 1944. Courageously braving enemy fire, Private First Class McEnroe crawled out on an overhanging ledge during a hostile hand grenade attack and dropped a demolition charge into an enemy-held cave, thereby helping to keep to a minimum the number of casualties sustained by his unit. When his Squad Leader was wounded while engaged in neutralizing an enemy cave, Private First Class McEnroe assumed command, reorganized his team and completed the mission. Although wounded, he refused medical attention until the job was completed. His heroic actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.