The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Donald E. McCafferty (MCSN: 0-9969), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Scout Bomber Plane in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO (VMSB-232), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 25 August to 15 September 1942. Participating in an aerial attack against a Japanese force of one light cruiser, seven destroyers and four transports on 25 August, Second Lieutenant McCafferty fought his plane courageously and aided in sinking the cruiser and one large transport and in damaging one transport and a destroyer. After a series of attacks on Japanese landing boats and ground positions early in September, he teamed with three other planes on 11 September to carry out a strike against four hostile destroyers despite heavy antiaircraft fire and the added difficulties of low clouds and poor visibility. Leading a section of two planes in a search mission later on the same day, Second Lieutenant McCafferty discovered and attacked a Japanese seaplane moored in Rekata Bay, destroying the plane and also bombing and strafing shore installations which were sending up antiaircraft fire. On 15 September, after discovering and reporting an enemy cruiser and two destroyers, he and his teammate attacked the combatant vessels, scoring near misses with probable underwater damage inflicted. By his daring airmanship, skill and heroic devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire, Second Lieutenant McCafferty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.