The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Wayne H. Knight (MCSN: 0-37027), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-311), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands, on 13 May 1945. Flying as Wingman of a section on combat air patrol to provide protection for a group of Naval patrol vessels, Second Lieutenant Knight participated in an attack on four enemy aircraft closing our surface force. When one of the hostile planes commenced a suicide dive on a destroyer, he initiated an immediate attack and, following his section leader through intense antiaircraft fire from the ships, insured the destruction of the Japanese craft. His courageous airmanship, indomitable fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.