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 Commander Norman John Sampson (NSN: 0-71491), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ALLEN W. SUMNER (DD-692), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Lingayen, Luzon, Philippine Islands, from 3 to 14 January 1945. Although constantly subjected to fire from hostile shore batteries and to enemy bombing and suicide plane attacks, Commander Sampson skillfully directed his ship in bombarding hostile beaches, in performing anti-aircraft and anti-submarine screening duties and in providing anti-aircraft and shore fire support for minesweeper units. When three attacking suicide planes struck and damaged his vessel, he supervised the damage repair and was in large measure responsible for maintaining the vessel in action. By his able leadership and gallant devotion to duty, Commander Sampson contributed greatly to the success of the ALLEN W. SUMNER in this vital engagement and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.