The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Herman Andrew Bullard (NSN: 3553248), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action during the engagement of the U.S.S. SENTINEL (AM-113) with enemy aircraft off the Joss Beaches in the assault on the Island of Sicily on 10 July 1943. Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Bullard, Gun Captain of the after three-inch gun, wounded in the right hand during the initial stage of the battle, remained at his station commanding his gun, although losing blood freely, until the last of the enemy bombers had been repulsed by gunfire. He then undertook immediately the operations of rigging out the whaleboat entirely by hand power. This was done against a list of twenty-five degrees. Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Bullard led his men with rare leadership and professional skill, and, although weak from the loss of blood, it was not until he determined that nothing further could be done for the ship, that he reported for medical treatment. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.