The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Herbert Fincel, Jr. (MCSN: 0-28699), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of an Observation Plane in Marine Observation Squadron THREE (VMO-3), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 30 April 1945. When, while searching for large enemy artillery pieces impeding the advance of our troops, his plane received heavy caliber hostile antiaircraft fire which destroyed the tail controls, Second Lieutenant Fincel took his crippled aircraft down through the intense barrage to minimum altitude and directed Allied artillery fire which destroyed the antiaircraft piece. Continuing his search despite constant antiaircraft and machine-gun fire, he found his assigned objective and directed artillery fire on the Japanese positions until lack of fuel forced his withdrawal. By his skillful airmanship and determination, Second Lieutenant Fincel contributed materially to the advance of our troops, and his courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.