The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Rudolph H. Kroetz, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of the United States Navy Armed Guard aboard the S.S. JOHN WITHERSPOON during the torpedoing and sinking of that vessel by enemy German forces on 4 July 1942. Fighting desperately to hold to their course in the face of persistent raids which swept down upon the convoy, the gun crew, under Ensign Kroetz’s vigilant direction, opened up a terrific barrage against fourteen low-flying Heinkel 177’s, shot one down off starboard quarter and burst another into flames amidships. Later that same day, after the convoy had dispersed and the JOHN WITHERSPOON steamed out of a heavy fog to find herself alone, a submarine submerged on the horizon. Dodging and firing upon subsequent wakes which plowed in her direction, the ship was eventually struck by two torpedoes, one between number four and five holds, the other beneath the bridge. By his courageous conduct and tenacious devotion to duty, Ensign Kroetz enabled his crew to maintain timely and effective fire against overwhelming odds and to emerge from a perilous encounter without personnel injury or loss of life. His 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.