The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Seaman First Class Lee Earl Aucoin, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 26 December 1943, while he was coxswain of a personnel landing craft from the U.S.S. BROOKS (APD-10), which landed the first wave of assault troops at the occupation of Cape Gloucester, New Britain. By skill and courage he successfully beached the landing craft on the proper beach at the designated time, and without a single casualty. Clearing the beach his boat was hoisted aboard a Landing Ship Tank. While this ship was leaving Cape Gloucester it was subjected to an attack by enemy aircraft. During the attack, Seaman First Class Aucoin courageously and with complete disregard for his own safety ran aft to man the machine gun that was in his boat. He was killed by bomb fragments while getting into his boat. His actions and conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.