The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John R. Wismer (MCSN: 0-8962), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as leader of a patrol in action against enemy Japanese forces on New Georgia, Solomon Islands on July 8, 1943. Upon being informed of the discovery of five Japanese in the near vicinity of a vital American held beachhead, Captain Wismer immediately organized and led a small patrol through the jungle in search of them. In the ensuing action, two of the enemy was killed and two captured, while the fifth member of the Japanese party took refuge in an almost impenetrable jungle where effective use of fire arms was impossible. Captain Wismer and one man of his patrol armed only with knives, unhesitatingly forced their way into the area and captured the last Japanese, both receiving several wounds in the struggle. The splendid initiative and courageous leadership displayed by Captain Wismer in frustrating an enemy threat to the beachhead were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.