The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Watertender First Class Wayne E. Taylor, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while attached to a United States vessel on the occasion of the Japanese aerial attack on the Navy Yard, Cavite, Philippine Islands, in December 1941. Despite frequent explosions of air flasks and detonated warheads, danger from burning docks, and in the face of continued Japanese bombing attacks, Watertender First Class Taylor courageously and ably assisted in the work of towing a second United States vessel to safety and in clearing the docks of the Cavite Navy Yard of naval vessels and yard craft. Watertender First Class Taylor’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.