The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Erling W. Fredell, United States Navy, for gallantry in action in charge of a repair party aboard a United States Cruiser during an engagement with Japanese Naval forces off Guadalcanal in 1942. Fighting his way through the fire which followed the torpedoing of his ship, Ensign Fredell, despite the imminent danger of exploding ammunition succeeded in getting forward to direct the leading out of hoses from the undamaged fireplugs. Seeing an injured man in the vicinity of the ammunition, Ensign Fredell rescued him and then continued to direct his men for seven hours, assisting materially in bringing the fire under control. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.