The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Jack Edward Kennedy (NSN: 0-123727), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Officer in Charge of the Combat Information Center aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. REID (DD-369), while that vessel was serving as Air Guard Ship for a group of six destroyers supporting an amphibious landing in immediate proximity to Japanese territory near Finschhafen, New Guinea, on 22 September 1943. When the group was subjected to a fierce and prolonged air raid by more than sixty enemy planes, Lieutenant Kennedy furnished the Officer in Tactical Command with such accurate and timely information on movements of the hostile aircraft that the bombing attacks were successfully evaded and the ships were brought through without material damage. His calm presence of mind and courageous devotion to duty, maintained at great personal risk in the face of grave danger, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.