The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant John McFadzean, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Senior Officer of the United States Navy Armed Guard aboard the S.S. ROBERT ROWAN during the sinking of that vessel by enemy action while anchored off Gela, Sicily on July 11, 1943. With all guns aboard blazing as thirty-two hostile bombers came in from the hills of Sicily, Lieutenant McFadzean maintained a steady fire against the enemy until direct hits put some of the guns out of action and started a fire in No. 2 hold. With the fire out of control and the ships company abandoning ship, Lieutenant McFadzean assigned his men to gun stations unaffected by the fire while he and his Armed Guard carried on the face of grave peril, finally going over the side only seven minutes before the ROBERT ROWAN was split in half by a terrific explosion. His courageous leadership and the steadfast devotion to duty of the men under his command highest credit reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.