William Joseph Bursaw Jr.

By virtue of the President of the United States, hereby award the Silver Star Medal to Lieutenant William Joseph Bursaw, Jr., U.S. Naval Reserve. For distinguishing himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 29 January 1945. Lieutenant Bursaw led his boat, the PT 230, as part of a four-boat division, in a joint air-sea attack on enemy suicide boat hideouts in Batangas Bay, Philippine Islands. Four strafing attacks were made against enemy installations in the face of heavy fire from shore batteries whi first engaged the boats at eight hundred yards range. Pressing home the attack to four hundred yards range, his boat poured deadly fire into enemy shore installations and two luggers for four minutes before retiring. On the next strafing run, again in the facae of heavy return fire, his boat was slowed to nine knots five hundred yards off shore to permit the boat ahead, the PT 222, to fire one torpedo at the Batangas dock. Though return fire persisted, third and fourth strafing runs were made, boat at two hundred yards range. As a result of the Batangas Bay action numerous enemy installations and suicide boat hideouts ashore were set afire and destroyed. Two luggers and a barge also were destroyed. Lieutenant Bursaw handled his boat skillfully and courageously on all four runs against the enemy. His gallant and heroic action under thirty-seven minutes of enemy fire was in keeping with the best traditions of the Navy of the United States.