The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Abraham Ross Alkire, Jr. (MCSN: 0-15384), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Aerial Observer of the Fifth 155-mm. Howitzer Battalion, Corps Artillery, FIFTH Amphibious Corps, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area, 3 November 1944. When his unarmed plane was attacked by three enemy pursuit planes while on an observation mission, First Lieutenant Alkire was painfully wounded and, despite the sustained attack of the enemy, continued his observation, making constant corrective reports by radio and directing the fire of his artillery unit to the target until the radio installations in his plane were destroyed by gunfire and the plane totally disabled. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.