The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Filemon C. Baviera, Philippine Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 51st Engineer Combat Battalion, 51st Division, Philippine Army, in action at Bataan, on 5 February 1942. During the heavy defensive fighting in the Pilar-Bagnac sector, Lieutenant Baviera conducted himself with conspicuous courage and disregard for personal safety while advancing in a counterattack, until severely wounded by Japanese trench mortar fire.