The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ernest Carl Castle (NSN: 0-512965), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Minesweeping Officer on board the U.S.S. CHATTERER (AMS-40), during sweeping operations in the Korean Theater on the night of 5 May 1952. When the CHATTERER was working close inshore within easy range of Communist guns, an enemy mine became fouled in the ship’s port otter. The sea was high and the ship was rolling heavily, posing a grave threat to the safety of ship and crew. With great courage and complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Castle volunteered to clear the fouled mine. Because of the proximity of enemy shore batteries only the most limited amount of light could be provided for the operation. He worked the mine in close to the stern of the ship and found the severed cable entwined in the otter of the sweep gear. Despite the continuing pounding of the mine by the otter which threatened to explode it at any moment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Castle hung precariously over the stern of the ship by his legs and cleared the mine having to fend it off several times with his hands to prevent it from striking the ship and exploding, thereby averting damages or possible sinking of his ship. His outstanding courage and steadfast devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.