The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Herman C. Coon, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman aboard the U.S.S. ATLANTA (CL-51), in action in the Solomon Islands on 13 November 1942. Painfully wounded by shell fire while at his battle station, Chief Pharmacists Mate Coon repeatedly exposed himself to additional dangers in rescuing injured personnel from the signal bridge and other parts of the ship. 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 Naval Service.