The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Robert Henry Vinson (NSN: 2915265), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action on 20 November 1943 at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, as the engineer of an assault boat. Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Vinson, when his landing boat loaded with troops stranded on the reef and was subjected to heavy machine gun fire from the shore, jumped overboard and swam to an amphibious tractor and landing boat. Through his courageous conduct and cool headedness the troops were transferred from the grounded landing boat to the amphibious tractor and his own landing boat towed clear. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.