Rayner C. Burke

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Rayner C. Burke, Chief Quartermaster, U.S. Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry while serving aboard the USCGC CAMPBELL (WMEC-909) during the sinking of an enemy submarine by that vessel on 22 February 1943. When his commanding officer was wounded during the course of the action, Chief Quartermaster Burke immediately took charge of searchlight, which the injured man had been compelled to abandon. Directing its beam on the hostile vessel., he provided effective target illumination for accurate gunfire which eventually sent the submarine to the bottom.