The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant John Henry Brandt (NSN: 0-74826), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action during an engagement with Japanese aircraft off Rennell Islands while serving on board the U.S.S. CHICAGO (CA-29) on 30 January 1943. Despite personal injuries to his side and back, including three broken ribs, received in an engagement the previous evening, Lieutenant Brandt gave valuable assistance in supervising the launching of floater nets and life rafts and in directing personnel overboard when the ship was abandoned and removed his life jacket and gave it to an injured man who had none, thereby necessitating that he enter the water in an injured condition and without a life jacket. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.