The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Coxswain Jennings Jack Bennett (NSN: 3858141), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 16 July 1943 in charge of the gun crew of the S.S. WILLIAM F. HUMPHREY when attacked by enemy vessels. In all, three rounds of fire were directed toward the enemy raider by the gun crew of the HUMPHREY. After the 1st round had been fired and while loading the second round, Coxswain Bennett was shot through the right leg just above the knee, and also through the left arm just above the elbow. In spite of these two injuries he continued with the loading and when in a pointer position to fire the second round, the third finger of his left hand was shot off. After the firing of the second round and in spite of the three bullet wounds he had sustained, he issued orders to load the third round and assisted in the loading. While in a pointer position to fire the third round a shell from the raider hit close by and at the same second the third round was fired. Following this explosion the gun was rendered useless. After having sustained these three wounds Coxswain Bennett proceeded to the boat deck and threw out 13 life preservers into the water, and tossed four of them to members of his gun crew. Those thrown in the water were subsequently used by some of the crew of the HUMPHREY. Coxswain Bennett then proceeded amidships, secured his confidential papers and threw them overboard. Following this he then ran to the port life boat aft and was in the act of assisting in lowering the boat when a shell exploded between the davits. This shot threw him to the deck and inflicted serious shrapnel wounds, one that shattered the knee of his left leg, one that penetrated the upper left leg, one that entered the stomach, and still another that entered the left arm passing completely through the arm and pinning him to the deck with the shrapnel piece embedded about two inches in the deck surface. After freeing himself from this pinning he rolled off the deck into the water. While in the water about midway, between the raider and his ship, machine gun fire was directed at him which did not find its mark. The raider then fired two torpedoes into the HUMPHREY and the concussion from these charges blew Coxswain Bennett completely out of the water. Still retaining consciousness, after this episode, he swam to a life raft which had been launched from the port bow, climbed aboard (it was now approximately 2200) at which time he lost consciousness until about 0700 the next day. He was then transferred to one of the life boats which was picked up by the S.S. TRITON (Norwegian) seven days later. After three days aboard the TRITON he, with other members of the crew, was brought into Freetown where he as been convalescing in the Army hospital for the past four months. For the last three or four weeks he lingered between life and death with all indications pointing to the latter as the ultimate end. His nerves were shattered, his body was broken, his spirit was about gone. Gradually he began to regain his spirit and will to live and by dint of expert and patient medical service his shattered body had been made to mend in nothing short of a miraculous degree. Such courage and fortitude as Coxswain Bennett has displayed should not go un-rewarded. 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.