The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Raymond T. Cooper (ASN: 20602992), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 15 March 1944. During a determined pre-dawn attack by numerically superior Japanese forces on American pillboxes in the main line of resistance, Sergeant Cooper distinguished himself by a heroic display of tenacious devotion to duty and indomitable fighting spirit. When the enemy succeeded n infiltrating our lines, he exposed himself by going to the command post to notify the platoon leader of the situation. Returning to the front lines, he assisted in evacuating several wounded soldiers from a pillbox. Learning that one of the American strongpoints had fallen into enemy hands, Sergeant Cooper, with one volunteer, started through a connecting tunnel in an effort to retake it. When the action was over, Sergeant Cooper was found at the entrance of the hostile position. He had been killed by a grenade fragment. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Cooper, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.