The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant John Vernon Wilson (NSN: 0-82463), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Gunnery Officer on board the Destroyer U.S.S. PARROTT (DD-218) in action against enemy Japanese naval forces at Badoeng Straits off the Island of Bali, Netherlands East Indies, on the night of 19 – 20 February 1942. Despite flesh wounds sustained from enemy shell fragments during the initial phase of the engagement, Lieutenant Wilson, with calm perseverance and utter disregard of his injured condition, remained at his battle station until such time as a lull between actions provided him an opportunity to submit to treatment. Afterward, during the second phase of the engagement, he returned to his station to control the gun battery. Lieutenant Wilson’s gallant actions, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.