The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Paul A. Bennett (NSN: 0-354430), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in operations against the enemy as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10), aboard the U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73). On the morning of 25 October 1944, Ensign Bennett took off from his carrier which was under attack by enemy heavy surface forces in the Battle of Samar Island. Having no bombs he made two strafing attacks on the attacking fleet, one on a cruiser and one on a battleship, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. Later that same morning he landed on another carrier from which he was launched with four five hundred pound bombs. As a part of a striking group from that ship during a subsequent attack on the retiring enemy force he scored three direct hits with five hundred pound bombs on an enemy cruiser despite intense anti-aircraft fire. His daring, skill and achievement were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.