The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Robert Malcolm Ament (NSN: 0-354981), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in an aerial flight on 7 April 1945. Ensign Ament flew as Pilot of a carrier-based Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SEVENTEEN (VB-17) in an attack on an enemy task force comprised of a battleship, cruisers and destroyers in the East China Sea. He dove through extremely intense anti-aircraft fire on a large enemy destroyer, scoring a direct hit with his bomb which materially contributed to the sinking of the vessel as a result of the attack. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.