The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Private First Class Harry L. Archer (MCSN: 426516), United States Marine Corps, for heroic conduct while serving with a Service Squadron of Marine Aircraft Group TWENTY-FOUR, on Bougainville, British Solomon Islands. During an enemy bombing raid, at about 2200, 27 January 1944, a bomb hit resulted in a fire in a Torpedo Bomber loaded to full bomb capacity. Private First Class Archer, with the aid of a comrade, and with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, rushed to the aircraft during the raid, exposing himself to enemy bombs, and successfully extinguished the fire before it reached the bomb bay of the aircraft, thereby, undoubtedly preventing great material damage and loss of life. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.