Byron G. Dannison

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Byron G. Dannison, Chief Boatswain’s Mate, U.S. Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry in action while serving as coxswain of a heavy landing craft during the amphibious assault in the Bay of Salerno, Italy, on 9 September 1943. Skillfully maneuvering his boat in the face of intense enemy gunfire, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Dannison successfully landed troops and heavy vehicles and although frequently subjected to hostile aerial strafing attacks, worked tirelessly and with outstanding efficiency in salvaging damaged and breached boats on the beach throughout the remainder of the operations.