Fireman First Class Buckley was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for displaying exceptional courage in attempting to salvage the German blockade runner Karin which had been intercepted by his ship, the destroyer  on 10 March 1943. The explosion of demolition charges planted by the blockade runner's crew took his life.
Fireman First Class Buckley was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for demonstrating extraordinary bravery in attempting to rescue the German blockade runner Karin, which had been intercepted by his ship, the destroyer on 10 March 1943. The detonation of demolition charges planted by the blockade runner's crew resulted in his death.