The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Kenneth Pearle Letts (NSN: 0-71411), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. FORREST (DD-461), during operations against enemy forces In the European War Theater on 24 June 1944. When the minesweeping flotilla he was escorting was taken under heavy and accurate gunfire from heavy caliber guns of shore batteries, Commander Letts laid down an effective smoke screen in shore of the formation, enabling the minesweepers to slip their sweeps and return undamaged. By his skill and initiative, he contributed materially to the success of the mission and, by his zealous devotion to duty throughout, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.