The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Clarence S. Lagerlof, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of an Armed Guard crew aboard a United States merchantman during the aerial torpedoing and sinking of that vessel by enemy forces during World War II. Ensign Lagerlof’s gun crew opened up on a low-flying plane which had been crippled by previous fire and drove it down to the sea. In the second raid a torpedo, released by a float bomber, left the ship shaken by violent explosions and enveloped in raging flames. When two of the lifeboats capsized, Ensign Lagerlof, along with others, dived over the side of the listing ship and remained afloat until picked up by another vessel. Ensign Lagerlof’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.