The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Donald E. McGrath, United States Naval Reserve, for gallantry in action when his Destroyer was torpedoed in the Solomon Islands on 6 October 1943. Disregarding his own painful injury, he risked his life to remain in the flooded compartment and dived repeatedly through fuel oil and sea water to rescue the plotting room crew. After abandoning ship, he swam part of the way to the rescue ship in order to leave room for others more seriously wounded. 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.