The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant James Clair Shaw, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Gunnery Officer aboard the U.S.S. ATLANTA (CL-51), during the engagement with Japanese naval forces in the Solomon Islands area on 13 November 1942. Lieutenant Shaw suffered a broken hand after the action commenced. Despite this condition, he took an active part in removing those badly wounded from his ship, which was severely damaged, into the rescue boats alongside. He requested to be permitted to remain aboard but was ordered to leave with the wounded. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.