The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Victor Antoine Moitoret (NSN: 0-107067), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Navigator on board the U.S.S. PRINCETON (CVL-23), operating against enemy Japanese forces off the Philippine Islands during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, 24 October 1944. When the PRINCETON sustained direct and damaging bomb hits inflicted by land-based Japanese planes during a bitterly-fought engagement, Lieutenant Commander Moitoret courageously remained on board for a period of seven hours, fighting fires, maintaining communication with other ships in the area, preserving confidential publications and obtaining all available lengths of fire hose for use where most needed. His inspiring leadership and heroic devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Moitoret and the United States Naval Service.