The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander John Lee Foster (NSN: 0-73616), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD-445), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the bombardment and occupation of Mariveles, Southern Bataan and Corregidor, Philippine Islands, from 13 to 17 February 1945. When his ship was taken under fire by heavy enemy batteries on Corregidor and severely damaged during minesweeping operations, Commander Foster coolly closed in on the Island and delivered a devastating counter-battery fire at short range which silenced the hostile guns. Subsequently, despite his own ship’s damage, he skillfully maneuvered in mine-strewn waters in close range of enemy batteries and successfully rescued the personnel of a stricken minesweeper. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.