The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Mr. Honorio Punongbayan, a Filipino Civilian, for courageous action on 18 April 1942. During an intense bombardment of Corregidor by enemy batteries on Bataan, a shell fragment cut the halyard of the fortress flag. As the colors descended, Mr. Punongbayan and two soldiers ran to the pole, gathered the flag in their arms, and kept it from touching the ground. Working fast, despite the furious shelling, they repaired the halyard and raised the flag again. This conspicuous act of gallantry was an inspiration to the heroic defenders of the Philippines.