The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunner’s Mate Third Class Reginald Mills, United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action during the attack on the U.S.S. PECOS (AO-6) by enemy Japanese airplanes in the vicinity of Christmas Island, 1 March 1942. When a bomb exploded in the forward part of the PECOS, wounding or killing many of the gun crews, Gunner’s Mate Third Class Mills, who was a survivor of the U.S.S. LANGLEY, promptly manned a machine gun and maintained fire with outstanding courage and efficiency for the duration of the action. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.