The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Douglas Neil Syverson (NSN: 0-82462), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Torpedo and Gunnery Officer aboard the U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS-197), during seven aggressive and successful War Patrols. During the last, while in contact with enemy Japanese in the Gulf of Davao, Mindanao, on 2, 3, and November 1942, Lieutenant Syverson, by making possible the effective discharge of battleship torpedoes which had not been fired for twenty-three years, enabled the SEAWOLF to sink one hostile freighter-transport of 9,310 tons and inflict severe damage upon another. His conscientious devotion to duty and cool proficiency under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Douglas Neil Syverson (NSN: 0-82462), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Approach Officer of the U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS-197), during the TWELFTH War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy-infested waters from 12 December 1943 to 27 January 1944. By his expert handling of approach problems, Lieutenant Commander Syverson rendered invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in sinking four enemy ships totaling 24,000 tons and in damaging three additional vessels despite severe hostile countermeasures. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty in the face of grave danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.