The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Edmund Weber (MCSN: 0-5005), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, Reinforced during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain from 26 December 1943 to 16 January 1944. In the initial phase of the landing the battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Weber’s capable command quickly overran Hill 450 thereby facilitating the successful landing of remaining troops. When his men captured Hill 150 to outflank a Japanese position and secure the beachhead line and later during a midnight engagement, while his battalion held a position tenaciously against repeated attacks by the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Weber moved from point to point along his front lines coolly directing operations despite enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire from concealed positions. His inspiring leadership and gallant fighting spirit were contributing factors in the heavy losses inflicted on the enemy and in our success in that area. His courageous devotion to duty throughout this period was in keeping with the traditions of the United States Naval Service.