The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William J. McGahern (MCSN: 330001), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on October 13, 1942. As a member of a wire crew of the Headquarters and Service Company, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, Private First Class McGahern assisted in laying a telephone trunk line to Headquarters after all others had been destroyed during heavy Japanese naval bombardment. During construction of the circuit, he and other members of the crew were caught in the open and exposed to hostile bombing on five separate occasions. However, despite this hazardous distraction, at no time did the personnel scatter or suspend their activities. They were able to complete their mission before daylight and thus establish the only means of wire communication from Headquarters to the Base Radio and other important units. The heroic conduct displayed by Private First Class McGahern on this occasion reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service.