The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Andrew Dedekam (ASN: 32510416), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 23 January 1945, in the vicinity of Bennwihr, France. Corporal Dedekam volunteered to establish contact between his platoon and the company to which it was attached, before separation. With utter disregard for his personal safety, and confronted by a Shu-mine field, he proceeded to his mission unhesitatingly. En route he observed three wounded men in the mine field and immediately went to their aid despite heavy enemy mortar fire. Corporal Dedekam suffered the loss of his foot from the explosion of a mine and, although suffering intense pain, refused treatment and requested that other wounded be aided and evacuated first. His courage reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.