(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate John J. Masters, Jr. (NSN: 2679387), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving aboard Motor Torpedo Boat ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (PT-120), at Douglas Harbor, New Guinea. In an attack on three barges, his Torpedo Boat came under heavy machine gun and 20-mm. fire. Although mortally wounded at the outset of the action, Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate Masters held valiantly to his battle station until he was too weak from loss of blood to carry on effectively. Even then, in the face of acute pain and imminent danger of falling overboard, he withheld an appeal for aid until the engagement was broken off, bravely devoting his last hours to the instruction of an inexperienced assistant to replace him. By his unyielding devotion to duty and cool courage under fire, he was in a large measure responsible for the sinking of two landing craft and the immobilization of the third. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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 Naval Service.