The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joseph Reinthaler (MCSN: 309132), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, as Leader of a Rifle Platoon conducting a reconnaissance during the battle of Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 21 November 1943. Seriously wounded when his platoon was subjected to a devastating hostile machine gun and mortar fire barrage upon approaching the Japanese lines, Sergeant Reinthaler immediately reorganized his men who had been forced to take cover during the bitter attack and skillfully led a successful flanking assault on the enemy entrenchments. Although barely able to walk, he refused to be evacuated and continued steadfast in command of the platoon for a period of four hours until he had completed the mission and had returned with his men to his own lines. Sergeant Reinthaler’s fearless leadership, unflinching courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave peril contributed to the success of our forces in that area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.