The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William Henry Barry, Jr. (MCSN: 337177), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against forces of the enemy Japanese Army. On 3 – 4 January 1944, on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, he was serving with the Fourth Platoon, Weapons Company, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force. During the late afternoon and the night of 3 – 4 January 1944, Corporal Barry, the gunner of a self-propelled 75-mm. gun, which was attached to the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, attempting to force a crossing of an unnamed river, came under heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and mortar fire, from well prepared and strongly fortified positions. Without regard for his own safety he employed a machine gun against snipers and enemy positions, until his 75-mm. gun advanced to a position from which he was able to fire at point-blank range on the enemy positions and guns which were holding up the advance of the Third Battalion. His courageous conduct under fire against a fanatically determined enemy, distinguished him in the line of his profession, materially assisted in our advance and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.