The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John P. Stone (MCSN: 0-20217), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 1 June 1945. When his company was engaged in a furious fight for the Schichina Ridge, First Lieutenant Stone was ordered to take a heavily defended enemy hill six hundred yards ahead of our lines which dominated the entire front of two infantry battalions. Placing himself at the head of his men, he led a successful attack through heavy hostile fire and reduced all enemy resistance, thereby enabling a general advance to be made. During this action, he was instrumental in destroying three light artillery pieces, two mortars and three light machine guns. His indomitable fighting spirit, leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.