The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Torpedoman First Class Berlyn Marconi Kimbrel (NSN: 3559131), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. HAMMANN (DD-412), at the time of that vessel’s destruction by enemy torpedoes in the vicinity of Midway Island, on 6 June 1942. When the HAMMANN was struck by enemy torpedoes and quickly began to sink immediately after the explosion, Torpedoman First Class Kimbrel, ignoring the ever-increasing danger of remaining on aboard, checked all depth charges and reported them “Safe.” Thereafter, still bravely refusing to abandon ship, he supplied life jackets to his shipmates and assisted stunned and injured personnel over the side until the deck beneath him was completely awash. Too late to secure a life jacket for himself, he went down into the sea, floated clear of the submerged ship, and, a few seconds later, was killed as the result of an underwater explosion. Torpedoman First Class Kimbrel’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.