The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John M. Priva (MCSN: 930321), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on 14 May 1945. When his rifle platoon received withering small arms fire from a hostile position located in a burial vault, Private First Class Priva advanced alone through heavy enemy rifle and machine gun fire to place a demolition charge in an attempt to destroy the position. After Japanese defenders had rendered ineffective the first charge which he had lighted in the burial vault, he crawled forward a second time in the face of hostile fire to place another charge and remaining close to the explosive, covered it with gun fire to prevent the enemy from again tampering with the fuse. As the resulting explosion destroyed the hostile machine gun position and killed five Japanese soldiers he made possible the advancement of his platoon against defending the advancement of his platoon against defending forces. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.