The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John S. Letcher (MCSN: 0-4282), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of the Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, 26 July 1944. When a number of enemy troops infiltrated a location about thirty yards from the Regimental Command Post in order to attack positions within the beachhead, Lieutenant Colonel Letcher organized a counterattack with the available officers and men at the command post and, by his prompt action and leadership, contributed materially to the destruction of seventeen Japanese and to the capture of one light machine gun, thereby preventing possible capture of the Regimental Command Post and destruction of our guns which were located two hundred yards further to the rear. His professional skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.