The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class Jack Austin Campbell, United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving aboard the U.S.S. BARTON (DD-599) during action against Japanese forces off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 12 – 13 November 1942. When that ship was torpedoed and sunk, he swam tirelessly from man to man among a group of struggling survivors, cheerfully offering encouragement and rendering assistance, after he had been thrown overboard by the violent force of an explosion and although he was without a life jacket. Discovering an exhausted shipmate, about to drown, he remained with him until they were both picked up at sunrise, supporting him and calmly reassuring him through frequent periods of delirium in which the man forcibly resisted his efforts and begged to be left to die. 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.