The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Quartermaster Rayner C. Burke, United States Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry while serving aboard the U.S.C.G.C. CAMPBELL (WMEC-909) on 22 February 1943, when an enemy submarine was severely damaged and sunk, and during the ensuing period when the U.S.C.G.C. CAMPBELL which was damaged in the engagement, was towed safely into port. Chief Quartermaster Burke, who was at his station on the bridge during the action, observed that the Commanding Officer had been wounded and immediately took charge of the searchlight which the latter had been directing at the enemy submarine and continued to illuminate the target, thus contributing substantially to the accuracy of the gunfire which resulted in its destruction. His example of calmness and quick thinking, and his leadership as displayed at the time of the action and during the precarious period which followed, reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.