Douglas C. Denman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Douglas C. Denman, Coxswain, U.S. Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving aboard the U.S.S. CALHOUN (APD-2) during an undetected Japanese air attack off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands the night of 30 August 1942. Stationed in Boat No 4, Coxswain Denman although he was severely wounded by fire after two bombs struck the ship, persisted in remaining on duty and with the aid of a shipmate carried two injured men to the bow of the boat and floated them clear. Together they threw overboard thirty kapok life jackets and called them to the attention of the survivors struggling in the water.