John A. Bolthouse’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL (Posthumously) to

PRIVATE JOHN A. BOLTHOUSE, JR.,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Lineman serving with the Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 27 November 1943. While his company was engaged in close range, bitter fire fighting with the enemy, Private Bolthouse joined a group of men engaged in evacuating casualties from the front lines. Fearlessly pressing forward under a constant hail of enemy machine gun and mortar fire, he successfully removed many of the men to a safe area and continued his valiant efforts until killed by enemy shell fire while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade who had fallen behind the Japanese lines. Private Bolthouse’s great personal valor, daring aggressiveness and heroic self-sacrifice in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: Oregon, Ill…. Home of record: Stillman Valley, Ill.