(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Junior Grade Claude William Plant, Jr. (NSN: 0-290758), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action as a Pilot in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), embarked in U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. 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.