The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Clyde James Van Arsdall, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. ANTHONY (DD-515), in the vicinity of Okinawa, from 1 April to 24 June 1945. Assigned for sixteen days to radar picket station duty, Commander Van Arsdall directed his ship in destroying eleven enemy planes and the Combat Air patrol under his command in the shooting down of nineteen more. Throughout this entire period, he skillfully fought his ship, furnishing accurate fire support in covering the landing operation and the advance of our troops ashore. By his exemplary leadership and courageous devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the success of these operations and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.