The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Howard A. Mills (MCSN: 336055), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with a battery of the Third Defense Battalion, First Marine Amphibious Corps, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, November 23, 1943. When a number of his comrades were injured as a shell landed in his immediate vicinity, igniting a powder magazine and exploding the battery’s projectiles, Corporal Mills unhesitatingly rushed from his shelter and, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire, courageously moved the wounded men from the perilous area. After being ordered to receive medical treatment for a shell wound, he immediately returned to assist wholeheartedly in extinguishing serious fires. The splendid initiative and fearless conduct displayed by Corporal Mills in this emergency contributed to the saving of the strategic position, and his gallant conduct throughout the engagement was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.