John Arthur Ptak was born on December 4, 1918, in Tyndall, Bon Homme County, South Dakota. He was the son of Frank B. Ptak and Mary V. Ptak.

He served in the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as a Major during World War II. He was Killed in Action on August 1, 1944, during the Battle for Guam.

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major John A. Ptak (MCSN: 0-6491), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Battalion Executive Officer attached to the First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead on the Islands of Guam in the Marianas on 21 and 22 July 1944. Undertaking a mission to determine the status of an assault on a heavily defended enemy ridge commanding the entire beachhead area and discovering that the assault had failed, Major Ptak immediately reorganized the remaining personnel and evacuated the wounded despite continuous hostile mortar fire. On the following morning he frequently left the command post to proceed across a fire swept ridge and take position in a small depression where he effectively directed our mortar and naval gun fire against well camouflaged Japanese emplacements. Upon the return of the surviving company officers later in the morning, Major Ptak returned to his Battalion Command Post with full information. By his determined initiative and gallant fortitude in maintaining the defense of this strategic position during a critical situation he contributed materially to the ultimate recapture of this vital stronghold and his valiant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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