The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Harry J. Coughlin (ASN: 36330807), 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 17 March 1944. Private First Class Coughlin was responsible for destroying a Japanese field piece and killing its crew. When the enemy brought up his artillery piece to use against American-held pillboxes, Private First Class Coughlin volunteered to undertake the hazardous mission of knocking it out of action. He crawled to within thirty yards of the gun and, because observation was poor, courageously exposed himself to intense hostile small arms fire to sight his rocket launcher on the target. From the standing position he fired eight rockets, each time dropping to the ground to reload. His fearless tenacity and indomitable fighting spirit resulted in destroying the gun and killing eight members of its crew. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Coughlin, 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.