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 Marvin H. Mahannah (ASN: 37351893), 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. During a determined Japanese attack on our front-line positions, Private First Class Mahannah left the comparative safety of his pillbox, crept to the entrance of a connecting trench, and killed two enemy machine gunners. Remaining in this exposed position, he directed the small arms, rifle grenade fire, and flame-thrower action against an adjacent pillbox, which the enemy had occupied, until it was destroyed. On the night of 23 – 24 March 1944, while occupying the same pillbox, Private First Class Mahannah heard a noise fifteen yards to the rear. He immediately opened fire and the next morning found a light machine gun and ammunition hidden in the brush. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Mahannah, 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.