The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Armor) Albert L. Allen, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 192nd Tank Battalion in action on or about 27 December 1941 during the withdrawal of troops from Luzon to Bataan. Lieutenant Allen dispatched by motorcycle from a forward command post of his battalion to deliver an urgent and important message to his company commander was en route when he was strafed by a Japanese plane which made effective hits on both tires of his vehicle and on the oil tank. In spite of the damaged condition of his motorcycle he continued forward through a Japanese ambush, in which he was wounded, and completed his important mission by delivery of the message to his company command tank. Lieutenant Allen’s determined and courageous action reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.