The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private John W. Mielke (MCSN: 367228), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company E, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 12 – 13 September 1942. While on duty with a rifle unit which was overrun by the Japanese, Private Mielke steadfastly remained by his machine gun, and, although continually subjected to hostile fire from three directions, he personally accounted for at least six of the enemy and prevented the capture of his weapon. By his intrepid fighting spirit and outstanding devotion to duty he was largely responsible for stopping the advance of the enemy and for the later withdrawal of his machine gun without loss to the battalion reserve line. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.