Joel Clois Bolton

Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 8531
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Joel C. Bolton (MCSN: 294158), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion (Engineer), Eighteenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, in July 1944.
Pioneering, building and maintaining supply routes to and forward of the Regimental lines in a zone of action, Sergeant Bolton rendered valuable service to his unit. When his tractor was damaged by enemy mortar fire and was being subjected to intense sniper fire on 1 July, he effected speedy repairs and succeeded in returning the vehicle to operation.
After other means of clearing a path for the tanks had failed on 6 July, he unhesitatingly drove his bulldozer forward of the Regimental lines and, despite enemy fire, built a road down a precipitous incline on the north side of Mount Tapotchau, thereby enabling the tanks and supporting infantry to coordinate and continue the attack. By his courage, initiative and devotion to duty throughout, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.