The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Willard Young Howell (NSN: 0-82341), United States Navy, for meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LAWS during combat operations against enemy North Korean and Chinese Communist Forces in the Korean Theater from 26 December 1952 to 12 July 1953. Commander Howell consistently demonstrated an aggressive competence which demanded and attained a high state of performance from his crew. He exhibited outstanding qualities of leadership, judgment and seamanship in directing the operations of his ship through dangerous inshore waters in the vicinity of Suwan Dan, Nande, Hungnam, Songjin and Chongjin, Korea. During the period from 20 February 1953 to 6 March 1953, Commander Howell, as the Bomline Unit Commander, aggressively carried out the duties and responsibilities of that command and contributed materially to the heavy damage inflicted upon the enemy. On 6 March 1953, while shelling an enemy train in the vicinity of Hungnam, his ship was taken under accurate enemy fire at 6,000 yards range by five enemy gun batteries. He skillfully maneuvered his ship clear of an enemy mine field, brought his guns to bear upon the enemy destroying one gun position and silencing the others. His courageous conduct, application of professional skill and aggressiveness contributed directly to the success of the LAWS in its assigned missions and to the termination of the conflict with the Communist Forces in North Korea. His leadership and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Howell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)