The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph J. Reilly (MCSN: 304965), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the morning of 26 October 1942. While his company was under relentless attack by hostile forces, Corporal Reilly, although severely wounded and suffering great pain, continued to command his squad with cool courage and utter disregard for his own condition. By his grim perseverance and unyielding devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the success of a counterattack which drove the Japanese troops from the advance position to which they had penetrated.