The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joseph W. Toth (MCSN: 831927), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Acting Assistant Machine Gunner of Company B, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands on 22 November 1943. Steadfastly refusing to leave his position despite a severe side wound sustained in a previous bitter engagement, Private First Class Toth immediately went into action when four Japanese launched a vicious attack during the night. With the success of his fire threatened by the instability of the gun’s position on the sandy bank, he promptly seized the barrel of the weapon and held it in position until the entire enemy had been killed. Although severely burned on the hands while performing his self-sacrificing task and forced to evacuate the area for treatment shortly thereafter, Private First Class Toth by his daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and cool courage in the face of tremendous odds has contributed materially to the success of an extremely dangerous engagement and his valiant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.