The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Jack E. D. Batson, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VF-21), attached to the U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41), as Pilot of an F-4B Phantom aircraft during a mission in support of combat operations in Southeast Asia against North Vietnam forces on 17 June 1965. As Pilot of an F-4B Phantom aircraft, Lieutenant Batson engaged at least four and possibly six enemy aircraft, accounting for one confirmed kill and contributing to a second by another aircraft in the flight, thus diverting the remaining enemy airplanes from their threat to U.S. striking forces. With heavy anti-aircraft fire bursting throughout the patrol area, he relentlessly maintained his vigil and pressed forward his attack, seeking out and destroying the opposing enemy aircraft, thus preventing damage to U.S. strike aircraft in the area. By his skill and devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Lieutenant Batson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.