The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander James Boyd Rutter, Jr. (NSN: 0-77060), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PHILIP (DD-498), in operations against enemy Japanese forces, while escorting a Re-Supply Echelon between Leyte Gulf and Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, Philippine Islands, from 27 December 1944 to 2 January 1945. Instantly bringing the PHILIP alongside a stricken destroyer of his convoy group despite the hazards of raging fires, ammunition explosions and burning depth charges, Commander Rutter worked untiringly to render assistance to the burning ship and, by his determination and initiative, was instrumental in extinguishing its fires and in saving a valuable combat vessel for further service. Constantly alert and aggressive during a savage four-day battle with intercepting enemy aircraft, Commander Rutter skillfully maneuvered his ship to avoid Japanese bombs and suicide planes and, in addition, contributed materially to the destruction of thirty-seven hostile planes in this operation. His expert ship handling, courage, and zealous devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.