The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Quartermaster First Class Lee Arnold Bagby (NSN: 3758402), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of the crew of Motor Torpedo Boat THIRTY-NINE (PT-39), which engaged a Japanese naval force off Guadalcanal Island, on the night of 29 October 1942. Quartermaster First Class Bagby was the first to sight an enemy destroyer, and manning the Torpedo Director he expertly conned the boat into a firing position. His outstanding skill and alertness contributed directly, and in a large measure, to the resultant torpedo hit on the enemy destroyer. His maneuvering of the boat also made possible a successful withdrawal under heavy enemy fire. Quartermaster First Class Bagby’s courageous action, taken with complete disregard for his own safety, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.