The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Paul L. Barber (MCSN: 0-19824), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 24 November 1943. With the majority of his men wounded while pinned down in the middle of the Piva River by Japanese machine gun crossfire, Second Lieutenant Barber stepped out in front of his platoon and, after effecting a crossing led a gallant attack against the hostile emplacements and succeeded in advancing our lines three quarters of a mile. His leadership and courage were an inspiration to his men, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.