The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Brian G. Welch, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the Armed Guard aboard the U.S.A.T. Merrimack, during the aerial torpedoing and sinking of that vessel by enemy forces in Caribbean waters on 9 June 1942. As a result of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Welch’s aggressive vigilance and alert command the gun crew, standing tightly by their stations during spasmodic raids upon the convoy, opened up a terrific barrage against three bombers which dove out of the low clouds and foggy darkness of early morning in a straight run for the merchant vessel. Driving off one and damaging the other two a few seconds after torpedoes had been released, they stuck to their guns until a violent explosion ripped open the starboard settling tank and enveloped one side of the ship in flames. His phone connection broken, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Welch descended from his control station atop the flying bridge and, although blocked by raging fires and hampered by a flooding deck, capably supervised abandoning of the sinking vessel until all members of his crew had gone over the side. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Welch’s gallant actions, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.