The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Robert William Gabel (NSN: 0-320561), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Seaplane embarked from the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, on 28 March 1945. Locating the downed pilot of a carrier-based plane after a prolonged search, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gabel landed his seaplane in the shallow water dangerously close to the enemy-held Okinawa beach and, in the face of possible enemy fire as well as fire from our own guns, taxied to the wounded man and effected his rescue. Although the plane was swept against a coral reef and damaged so that it could not take off, he succeeded in taxiing a long distance through heavily-mined waters and in delivering the rescued aviator to a small boat for medical attention. Refusing to abandon the sinking plane, he summoned aid to tow the craft to the nearest friendly cruiser and, after repairs were effected, piloted the plane back to his ship the following morning. His skilled airmanship and courage throughout this mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.