(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander James Nicholas Howell, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY (VT-20), embarked in U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), over French Indo-China on 12 January 1945. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.