The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Robert J. Daugherty (MCSN: 318387), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the island of New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, on 30 December 1943. Arriving at his post in the connecting trench between two guns to find that the enemy had taken his position during a fierce early morning attack on his company’s defensive installations, Private First Class Daugherty engaged the intruders in furious hand-to-hand combat, killing two of them and fighting his way to the left gun pit. Upon reaching the gun and finding it already manned, he quickly returned to the right gun pit where he assisted in putting the damaged bun back in action. Manning the gun throughout the remainder of the action, he aided directly in holding the position despite the heavy enemy assault. His outstanding courage, daring initiative and valiant fighting spirit in the face of grave danger reflect great credit upon Private First Class Daugherty and the United States Naval Service.