The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Regis J. Schaefer, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the Armed Guard aboard a United States merchantman, for the action of the crew under his direction in opening fire on a low-flying bomber and helping drive it down to the sea in flames during World War II. Later, when another bomber peeled off in a forward dive along the axis of his ship, they blazed away until exploding bombs blew out a square of the hull plating, crashed her mainmast to port, and swamped the starboard lifeboats which had been lowered to water level. Remaining aboard to supervise abandonment of the rapidly sinking vessel, ensign Schaefer was one of the last men to go over the side. His 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.