The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Forrest Lee Alson (ASN: 6549911), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery E, 60th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), in action at Mariveles, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 19 December 1941. During a heavy bombing raid he voluntarily left a place of shelter to lead his section into the burning barrio, where he led and inspired his men to valorous deeds of rescue and salvage. Sergeant Alson dashed into a blazing wooden ammunition storehouse and, using his hands and rifle butt, beat out the flames. He then assisted and directed his section in throwing out boxes of small arms ammunition already aflame. By his intrepid action and fearless devotion to duty, Sergeant Alson inspired his men to heroic action and saved thousands of rounds of small arms ammunition and 3-inch anti-aircraft shells from destruction.