The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Philip William Long (ASN: 0-21962), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Shore Battalion of the 542nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment of the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade, attached to the 41st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy during the landings at Biak, New Guinea, in May 1944. The landing at the village of Bosnek required the landing force to move immediately to the left and right since cliffs impeded any forward progress. Lieutenant Colonel Long gallantly led his shore party in actions against the enemy. Two days after the landing, the infantry battalion proceeding toward the airfields was cut off by Japanese emerging from caves. A rescue force of amphibious tractors commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Long was dispatched and, under heavy fire, the entire battalion was successfully withdrawn. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Long, 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.