The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class John P. Walsh, Jr. (MCSN: 493921), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with a rifle platoon attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Rea, Bougainville Island on December 12, 1943. When intense enemy fire killed his squad leader and isolated the squad from the platoon during an assault on a strong enemy position, Private First Class Walsh immediately took charge and with heroic initiative led the squad forward under terrific hostile fire forcing the Japanese to disclose the disposition of their automatic weapons. His valiant fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty throughout this fierce encounter, in which he was killed by hostile fire, contributed materially to the defeat of the enemy and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.