The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Chester E. Briggs, Jr. (NSN: 0-100722), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Ensign Briggs, without regard for personal safety, repeatedly exposed himself to danger during a heavy bombing attack and was cool and courageous in repairing flight deck equipment while the attack was going on. H was wounded while conducting repair work and fighting fire on the flight deck without protection. After the ship had been struck by torpedoes and it became necessary to abandon her, although wounded, he played a major part in freeing shipmates who had been caught and wounded by the curling up of the port catwalk which was caused by a torpedo explosion, and in so doing he placed himself in a precarious situation on the low side of the ship without regard for his personal safety. His conduct was in accord with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.