John S. Stankus’ FIRST Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN S. STANKUS, USMC.,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, September 27, 1942. In the midst of an engagement near the headwaters of Matanikau River, Private First Class Stankus, on his own initiative and single-handed, carried his light machine gun through a deadly curtain of hostile fire to a vantage point on the edge of a creek where, by effectively neutralizing a vigorous enemy shelling from the opposite bank, he enabled his comrades to evacuate their seriously wounded Battalion Commander. Despite tremendous crossfire, he persisted in manning his weapon until ordered back, and then succeeded by means of hand grenades, in repelling two Japanese rushes directed toward the capture of his machine gun. His heroic conduct, employed at great personal risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,
/s/ Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy