The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Woodson A. Badgett (NSN: 0-178331), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as Chief Engineer in the Destroyer U.S.S. HALSEY POWELL (DD-686), off Kyushu, Japan on 20 and 21 March 1945. While under intermittent Japanese air attack in complete disregard for his own safety he participated in a diving operation in the steering engine room, which was flooded, in an effort to close the water tight door to an adjacent flooded compartment which was open to the sea. The engineering plant under his direction functioned under thirty to fifty percent overland condition several times in emergencies and operated under critical conditions over a period of about twenty-four hours. His courage, skill, and determination were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.