John W. Goode, Jr.

2nd Lieutenant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00422
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant John W. Goode, Jr. (MCSN: 0-23544), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 27 September 1944.
When his platoon encountered a strong enemy force on a heavily defended hill, Second Lieutenant Goode braved heavy hostile machine-gun and rifle fire which had already caused the death of one of his men and wounded two others, to bring forward a machine-gun section. Accurately spotting positions for the guns, he brought direct fire to bear upon the enemy with the result that twenty of the enemy were killed and the platoon was allowed to advance.
Pinned down by intense hostile machine-gun and rifle fire from a strong enemy position later that same day, he again braved hostile fire to return to his support squad for assistance and, courageously leading this group to an effective position.
His coolness under fire, initiative and daring leadership were contributing factors in the annihilation of many of the enemy and in saving the lives of many of his men. His gallant devotion to duty reflects great credit on Second Lieutenant Goode and the United States Naval Service.