The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman First Class Ernest J. Beaver (NSN: 6377639), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) during the capture and salvage of an enemy submarine off West French Africa on 4 June 1944. Participating in the skillfully-coordinated attack by his vessel on the German U-505, climaxing a prolonged search by the Task Group, Seaman First Class Beaver assisted materially in the capture and salvage of the hostile craft and in its long tow across the Atlantic to a United States port. By his valuable service during the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man o’ war on the high seas by the United States Navy since 1815, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.