The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Fireman Second Class J. H. Bane, United States Navy, for bravery and devotion beyond the call of duty in endeavoring to save the life of a shipmate who was seriously wounded during the engagement between the U.S.S. ASTORIA (CA-34) and enemy cruisers near Savor Island about 0215, 9 August 1942. Fireman Second Class Bane was at his station in the midships repair party. Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class O. C. Sells, who was also assigned to the same station and was Bane’s immediate superior, was mortally wounded and died as a result of these wounds a few days later. The serious fire in the region of the midships repair party drove the survivors out of this area. At the risk of his own life and with great difficulty, Fireman Second Class Bane was able to get Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Sells to the topside where they could abandon ship. Upon arriving on the topside in the vicinity of the well deck, Fireman Second Class Bane found that fires in the hangar prevented escape aft while fire forward prevented escape in that direction. The only apparent chance of survival was in jumping over the side which many of the personnel did. Fireman Second Class Bane however, elected to abandon all chances of escape and remain with Sells. About 0500 fires in the hangar were extinguished by personnel who had escaped to the fantail, and communication between the fantail and the well deck was established. These fire fighting personnel found the badly wounded Sells attended by Fireman Second Class Bane, the only living persons in this area. Fireman Second Class Bane’s action in remaining with Sells exhibited human devotion of the highest order and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.