The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] Ellis Kerr Wakefield (NSN: 0-63354), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TWINING (DD-540), during a major engagement with enemy Japanese air forces between the Philippines and Saipan, 19 June 1944. Stationed as a picket in the direct line of enemy approach, Captain Wakefield fought off repeated dive and torpedo attacks and bore the brunt of responsibility for breaking up the Japanese approaches. Shooting down two enemy planes, damaging two more, and turning away many others without casualty to his ship, he assisted materially in disrupting the enemy attack. His professional skill, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.