The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John N. McLaughlin (MCSN: 0-8433), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, from 15 to 30 September 1944. After landing with his assault Company, Captain McLaughlin repulsed two hostile tank-infantry counterattacks, destroying several tanks and, leading his company across fourteen hundred yards of open airfield under concentrated hostile artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire, determinedly drove the enemy from strongly-fortified positions at the far edge of the airfield and steadfastly held the captured fortifications against continued heavy resistance. After four days of intensive fighting, he bravely led his company in an assault under heavy fire to repulse several night counterattacks in which two enemy machine guns were captured, numerous Japanese killed and many tanks put out of action, thereby contributing materially to the success of our operations in this area. His outstanding courage, devotion to duty and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.