The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John P. Milko (MCSN: 434708), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 19 June 1944. Observing his commanding officer struck down by the Japanese while attempting to flank the enemy position during a fierce fire fight waged against deeply entrenched hostile troops, Private First Class Milko unhesitatingly risked his life to proceed to the dangerously exposed position where his officer had been assailed and, fighting with indomitable aggressiveness, succeeded in annihilating five of the enemy before he himself was seriously wounded by a Japanese grenade. By his daring initiative, valiant fighting spirit and resolute determination in the face of terrific opposition, Private First Class Milko contributed essentially to the success of our operations against this vital Japanese stronghold, and his undaunted courage and decisive conduct during a period of bitter hostilities upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.