The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Neil J. Mullen (ASN: 33142570), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 11 and 12 February 1945. Sergeant Mullen and a companion courageously tried three times to force their entrance into a tunnel in order to destroy a Japanese machine gun which was preventing our forces from entering a large enemy-held building. So firmly entrenched was the enemy gun that the two men were driven back each time by hostile fire before being ordered to discontinue their attempt because of darkness. The next day that made a fourth, and successful attempt in a well executed flanking maneuver. Although exposed to constant enemy rifle fire Sergeant Mullen crawled and ran to a position from which he succeeded in killing the enemy machine gunner and another Japanese rifleman. With the threat of the enemy machine gun gone and the tunnel secured, Sergeant Mullen paved the way for occupation of the entire building. 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 Army.