The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Cecil M. Arrowsmith (NSN: 0-225437), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in the performance of services while serving aboard U.S.S. YMS-200, during the amphibious operations in Southern France on 16 August 1944. On the morning of 16 August 1944, in the Bay of St. Raphael, U.S.S. YMS-24, which was engaged in a magnetic-acoustic minesweeping operation with other craft, struck a mine which demolished its forward half. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Arrowsmith, with full knowledge of the extraordinary risks involved, proceeded to the rescue in the wherry on YMS-200, accompanied by a pharmacist’s mate. After attending to survivors aboard the stricken minesweeper, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Arrowsmith left YMS-24 and rowed to leeward in the wherry to look for shallow mines which he suspected were endangering other craft in the vicinity. A second explosion occurred among the ships when he was about fifty yards away. He escaped with slight injury by diving beneath the wherry, which was damaged by flying debris. He then returned to YMS-24 in the full knowledge that further explosions were imminent. Near water and rowed out to transfer him to another minesweeper in the area. The craft moved away just as he arrived and with the wherry sank. Lieutenant, Junior Grade Arrowsmith supported the wounded man in the water until a line could be passed from the minesweeper and the man taken aboard. Due to his heroic disregard for his own safety and his resourcefulness, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Arrowsmith saved at least one life. The courageous action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Arrowsmith on this occasion reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.