The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Quartermaster William D. Ryder, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving on board the U.S.S. Laffey, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Okinawa Area, on 16 April 1945. When his ship was struck by enemy aircraft while on radar picket duty, setting it to fire and jamming the rudders, Chief Petty Officer Ryder twice entered the partially flooded and smoke-filled compartment adjacent to a burning 20-mm. magazine in courageous attempts to restore steering control to the chip. While his vessel was still under heavy air attacks, he fought fires threatening to explode ammunition in a five-inch handling room and the after magazine. His cool courage and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.