The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Mark Lafon Orr (NSN: 0-112715), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as a Pilot in Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), embarked in the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11) in action against enemy forces near the Ryukyu Islands on 11 April 1945. Boldly intercepting a large group of enemy bombers which were making a determined attack on the Task Force, Lieutenant Orr assisted in shooting down one enemy bomber and unassisted, carried the fight with another to the edge of the firing screen. Knowing that entrance into the area would mean being fired upon by his own ships, he pursued the hostile craft with fearless determination and utter disregard for his own safety within the screen and succeeded in shooting the plan down just short of the U.S.S. YORKTOWN. Skillfully piloting his plane below the blanket of antiaircraft fire and skimming above the rough waters, Lieutenant Orr brought his plane out of the Task Group to safety. His daring aggressiveness and valiant devotion to the fulfillment of a vastly important task contributed materially to the success achieved by our forces during this period of extensive activity and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.