The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Thomas A. Boyan (NSN: 0-149595), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Director Officer of a heavy machine gun mount on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), on 5 November 1944, in the vicinity of Luzon, Philippine Islands. Immediately after materially assisting in shooting down a plane attacking his ship and while being attacked by another Japanese bomber, which appeared to be making a dive directly toward his gun station, he calmly and fearlessly directed the fire of his gun mount until the bomb exploded and the plane crashed, demolishing his gun station. His action in continuing the fire until the very last was an inspiration to every member of his crew, and probably affected the accuracy of the dive, thereby preventing more extensive damage to his ship. Upon seeing his own gun out of commission, he took charge of a nearby light machine gun battery, assisted in fighting fires and removing wounded, in spite of danger from exploding machine gun ammunition and severe burns he had sustained. His courage and disregard for his personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.