The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Sergeant [then Sergeant] Wheeler G. Bowman (ASN: 20634410), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action on the Bequta Trail, New Guinea, on 5 December 1942.