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 [then Private] Jose Vargas, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Battery, 23d Field Artillery (Philippine Scouts), at Culls, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 6 January 1942. During an intense artillery bombardment that disrupted all communication lines, he repeatedly braved shelling to deliver vital messages between command posts. The conduct of Private Vargas was in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service.