Alvin Richard Burleigh

Seaman 1st Class, U. S. Navy

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief Atlantic: Serial 3129 (October 4, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman First Class Alvin Richard Burleigh (NSN: 5760019), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of the crew of 40-mm. gun # 1 during an air attack at 2115B on 2 September 1943.
Seaman First Class Burleigh's own gun had fired effectively on the plane until it could no longer bear. At this moment a torpedo struck the stern of the ship, stunning the gun captain of 40-mm. gun #2 which could now bear. Seaman First Class Burleigh took in the situation at a glance; took charge of the other gun crew and kept the gun firing with such effectiveness that several shells from this gun were observed bursting on the target, resulting in its destruction. The action described above in which the enemy airplane was destroyed through accurate fire, controlled by a gun captain acting on his own initiative reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service.