The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Howard L. Davis (MCSN: 0-5332), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Prisoner of War on board the Japanese ship ORYOKU MARU when that vessel was bombed and grounded in Subic Bay off Luzon, Philippine Islands, on the morning of 15 December 1944. With survivors from the damaged enemy ship attempting to swim to shore against a strong current, Captain Davis immediately went to the assistance of three enlisted men and an officer and proceeded to tow them on a life raft toward the shore. Although the officer was mortally wounded by Japanese machine-gun fire during the operation, Captain Davis continued in his gallant efforts despite his own weakened condition and succeeded in reaching the beach with the four men still on board the raft. His courage and resolute concern for the welfare of his fellow prisoners of war was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.