The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Private First Class John J. Oakes (MCSN: 354624), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands. He made repeated trips through areas covered by severe hostile machine-gun and sniper fire to deliver messages to the battalion command post, and to carry rations to an isolated portion of his company on 9 July 1943.