The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman Second Class John Arthur Bartlett, United States Navy, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an army hostile force as a member of the crew of the U.S.S. ASTORIA (CA-34), during the battle of Savo Island, on 9 August 1942. Seaman Second Class Bartlett was a member of the after main battery director crew. When it became necessary to abandon Control Aft, all access ladders going below were blocked by fire. The boat deck was burning badly, and all egress from the mainmast was completely cut off. The crew of Control Aft and personnel from other mainmast stations, a number of whom were wounded, were trapped on the after machine gun platform. Efforts were made to find a line long enough to reach the main deck, but not was available. A ling long enough to have saved the able-bodied was found but it was not of sufficient length to lower the wounded. At this point, Seaman Second Class Bartlett, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, and at great risk of his life, made his way down through the flames to the burning boat deck, immediately adjacent to the 20-mm. clipping room where frequent explosions were taking place, under the stern of a burning motor launch, and returned with a line long enough to reach the main deck. As the direct result of this heroic action the lives of all the personnel in the mainmast stations were saved, except those actually killed on their stations. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.