The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander David Berger (NSN: 0-136584), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Assistant Air Officer aboard the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), which was striking the main Japanese Islands near Kobe on 19 March 1945. After his ship was hit in an enemy air attack, there followed a series of violent explosions of ready bombs, rockets and ammunition. With great courage and disregard for his personal safety, he organized and led an ammunition jettisoning party, emptying two hot magazines while flames and suffocating smoke raged about. Later, in the face of continuing explosions and during further enemy air attacks, he organized fire parties and fought fires in and about the flight deck. His leadership and devotion to duty aided greatly in saving the ship, and his gallant conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.