The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] Theodore Hertzel Kobey (NSN: 0-60419/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the line of his profession as Engineering Officer in the U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), in action against enemy Japanese forces off Komandorski Islands, 26 March 1943. During an extended engagement between his Task Group and a numerically superior enemy surface force, Captain Kobey continued to operate his plant under the greatest difficulties, expeditiously coping with every casualty encountered including partial flooding of the after engine room with oil and water, shell hits and oil contamination throughout the after bunkers, and loss of steering control. By his professional ability, determination and devotion to duty, he aided materially in saving the SALT LAKE CITY from further damage, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.