The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Vilhelm Klein Busck (NSN: 60279), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, LST Group FIFTEEN, during the unloading of the Ninth Echelon to Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, on 1 October 1943, and during the occupation of the Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands, on 27 October 1943. During the first mentioned operation when U.S.S. LST 488, hit on the beach, was attacked and hit by enemy dive bombers and burned until the crew was forced to abandon ship, Commander Busck, without regard for his own personal safety went alone aboard the stricken ship and although surrounded by large fires and explosions from the burning cargo of gasoline and ammunition, he inspected the ship and determined that she could be saved. He then returned to his flagship U.S.S. LST 485, and brought her alongside the U.S.S. LST 488, organized salvage parties and returned again to the burning ship to personally direct the fire fighting and efforts to save her. Shortly after the fires appeared to be under control, the U.S.S. LST 488 was again attacked and hit by dive bombers and Commander Busck was knocked off his feet by bomb blast and forced by new fires and explosions to temporarily leave the ship. He again went aboard the U.S.S. LST 488, but finally abandoned the ship when it was determined that the fires could not be controlled nor were salvage operations possible with the resources at hand. Commander Busck again demonstrated his heroism and his capacity for skillful and inspiring leadership in the operation against Treasury Islands, during which, although subjected to Japanese mortar, machine gun, and sniper fire, he calmly supervised the unloading, withdrawal, and retirement of his ships. Commander Busck’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.