The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Willard Merton Sweetser (NSN: 0-60283), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of a Destroyer Screen, operating in enemy Japanese-controlled waters from 13 – 17 October 1944. With the ships under his command assigned to a Task Unit protecting the withdrawal of two severely damaged vessels, Captain Sweetser directed his destroyers in rescuing personnel; in providing an effective screen against enemy submarines; and in repelling many hostile air attacks. By his leadership and devotion to duty throughout, Captain Sweetser contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the salvage mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.