The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunner’s Mate Second Class Lewis Tarpley, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), in the action against Japanese naval forces in the Solomon Islands area on the night of 12 – 13 November 1942. Gunner’s Mate Second Class Tarpley remained at his gun station and kept up a steady blast of fire when a hostile torpedo plane, already aflame, plunged toward his ship in a headlong dive. His gallant actions demonstrated an utter disregard for the disastrous consequences of an impending crash, although he was wounded in that action. Gunner’s Mate Second Class Tarpley’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.