The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Marvin D. Tarkington (ASN: 34663292), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the **** River Sector, France, on 28 July 1944. While his company made a temporary withdrawal from the line of fire of supporting tanks, Private Tarkington, a Browning Automatic Rifleman, volunteered to block the approaches to a sunken road, the principal escape route for enemy troops in the area. He assumed a position which afforded him maximum observation but little cover or concealment. The enemy attempted to escape through this road but were stopped by withering fire from this soldier. Although wounded in the leg, Private Tarkington continued firing upon the enemy until he was again wounded and totally incapacitated. The intrepid actions of Private Tarkington, his courage, coolness and disregard for personal safety, cut off an escape route for enemy troops and enabled reinforcements to come forward and effectively block further escape attempts. 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.