The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Rupert Orrin Bowman (MCSN: 301723), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Japanese forces while serving at the Marine Barracks, United States Naval Station, Guam, Mariana Islands, on 10 December 1941. Volunteering to be a member of a demolition party of three, Private First Class Bowman greatly aided in destroying magazines containing explosives and ammunition at the Marine Barracks to prevent them from falling into enemy hands during the invasion of Guam by the Japanese. Despite constant danger from hostile patrols and aerial bombing and strafing attacks, he assisted in carrying and laying the demolition charges and, although exposed to enemy view, climbed two telephone poles to connect the wires necessary to detonate the charges. His courage and his skill and speed in accomplishing this vital mission reflect great credit upon Private First Class Bowman and the United States Naval Service.