The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Earl J. Mowery (MCSN: 279781), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 23 January 1944. With his tank ammunition exhausted and the infantry pinned down by hostile machine-gun and rifle fire while he was leading an assault at Natmo Point, Sergeant Mowery unhesitatingly stopped his tank, climbed out in plain sight of the enemy and attempted to mount his antiaircraft machine gun. Seriously wounded by Japanese sniper fire during this action, he had courageously risked his life to alleviate a critical situation and his heroic conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.