The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Torpedoman’s Mate First Class Haskel Doke Brown (NSN: 2956346), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Number Two Torpedo Mount Captain of the Destroyer U.S.S. BENNION (DD-662), during a night torpedo attack against an enemy formation of ships at Surigao Strait, Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. By his cool and capable direction, Torpedoman’s Mate First Class Brown insured that adjustments to torpedoes were properly made and that all battle orders were quickly executed with the result that torpedoes were fired with calculated accuracy at enemy battleships and definite hits were obtained. These duties were carried out in the face of severe enemy gunfire. His courage and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.