The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class John Ansteatt, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy. On the night of 8 – 9 October 1943, while on a barge patrol in Dampier Straits, Patrol Boat ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR (PT-194), on which he was serving as Chief Engineer, was attacked by two enemy destroyers. In the ensuing action the PT-194 sustained severe damage from a 5-inch shell which caused the death of one man and the wounding of the remaining boat’s engineers and put the boat afire. With complete disregard for his own safety, working in dangerous carbon monoxide fumes, he put out the fire and made temporary repairs that enabled the boat to maintain full speed and thus he remained in the engine room which was filled with dangerous gases, a total time of nine hours. His action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.