The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Fred W. Nirschel, United States Coast Guard (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry as member of a reconnaissance patrol transported to a Japanese held island in the Pacific Area during the latter part of December 1943. With no knowledge of enemy strength or the attitude of natives to the Allied Nations and with limited means of escape, Lieutenant Commander Nirschel went ashore in the face of certain danger and within a brief space of time secured information concerning the strength of Japanese forces and their equipment and had determined the most suitable beach for future landing as well as favorable sites for bomber and fighter strips. Discovered by the enemy and in danger of being captured by a hostile party possessing superior arms, he fought gallantly, assisting in ambushing and killing three Japanese, wounding one and putting the remainder to flight before struggling back through heavy surf to the rendezvous with friendly craft.