The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Joseph Harold Wellings (NSN: 0-59555), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. STRONG (DD-467), while screening a cruiser Task Force and bombarding enemy shore batteries and installations on Kolombangara and New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands, on the night of 4 – 5 July 1943. Commander Welling maneuvered his ship through restricted submarine-infested waters, effectively bombarding enemy shore batteries and installations. In the face of intense enemy resistance, he continued to force heavy fire into Japanese opposition until the STRONG was struck by a torpedo. Calmly and efficiently, Commander Wellings directed the abandonment of his sinking ship, remaining aboard as she went down. The explosion of her depth charges threw him, seriously injured, into the sea, and several hours later he was rescued. 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.