The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Karl Frederick Poehlmann (NSN: 0-60483), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander Destroyer Division TWELVE, attached to Task Force FIFTY-EIGHT, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 – 20 June 1944. Leading his destroyer formation as part of the screen for the Task Group of fast battleships, Captain Poehlmann fought his ships gallantly as overwhelming forces of Japanese torpedo planes maneuvered in over the area and prepared to launch their devastating strikes. Skillfully deploying his units for maximum strength to meet the onrushing enemy, he hurled the full fighting power of his ships against the attackers and, by his brilliant leadership and bold tactics, contributed to the destruction of many hostile aircraft and to the success of his escort in breaking up the aerial formations before they could penetrate to our major Fleet units. His courage and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds were contributing factors in the success of our sustained operations against the enemy in the Pacific War Area, and his valiant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Karl Frederick Poehlmann (NSN: 0-60483), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in the line of his profession while in command of a United States Destroyer during the action for the occupation of the Gilbert Islands, 18 November through 26 November 1943, and the attack on the Marshall Islands, 4 December 1943. The Task Group, of which his destroyer was a part, was twice under heavy enemy torpedo plane attack of the Gilbert Islands, and for seven and one-half hours under continuous attack by night torpedo planes during the retirement from the Marshall Islands. In the face of these vicious and sustained enemy attacks, he so skillfully and courageously fought his ship as to bring it through undamaged, and added materially to the successful defense of the entire Task Group. His actions were in full accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.