The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Whitney P. Pierron (MCSN: 431079), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an assistant machine gunner of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain on 3 January 1944. When his gunner Sergeant was killed and his gunner seriously wounded while defending a strategic position in the vicinity of Target Hill against the fierce onslaughts of a savage enemy, Private First Class Pierron manned the gun alone and continued to pour a deadly rain of fire against the Japanese until help could reach him. Subjected to devastating machine gun and mortar fire for two hours he steadfastly remained at his hazardous post repulsing two desperate rushes with heavy losses to the enemy. By his courageous stand and his devotion to duty Private First Class Pierron contributed materially to the successful defense of an extremely important key position thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.