The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Richard Walter Armstrong (NSN: 0-134007), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Assistant Damage Control Officer of the U.S.S. ROSS (DD-563), during operations against the enemy on Leyte Island, Philippine Islands, on 19 October 1944. The ship struck in succession two enemy mines and received a near bomb miss. While his ship was in a seriously damaged condition and the danger was great, Ensign Armstrong entered damaged engineering spaces for inspection and to remove injured men. He was successful in removing one man from a flooded fireroom and persevered in his efforts to revive him by artificial respiration. By cool and forceful leadership he caused salvage operations to be initiated, and was instrumental in saving the ship. His courage, professional skill, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.