The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Daniel H. Mallan, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Chinese Combat Command in China from 11 November 1944 to 13 November 1944, between Tatang and Ishan, Kwangsi Province, China. Completely disregarding his own safety, Colonel Mallan led an all-volunteer party of four American soldiers on a mission to destroy two strategic large masonry bridges near Tatang. The volunteer party was fully aware of both Chinese and American commanders’ estimates of the capability of the enemy, advancing in three columns northwest toward Ishan, to take the town of Tatang and cut the only escape highway north and south thereof by darkness the evening of 12 November 1944. Colonel Mallan personally reconnoitered the area and delayed blasting the two bridges until daylight 13 November 1944, thereby permitting the evacuation of a large number of wounded Chinese soldiers and a considerable quantity of Chinese artillery material. The delayed demolition prevented the advance of hostile tanks past Tatang. After executing the mission, Colonel Mallan withdrew his party along the only escape road through Ishan while that town was under Japanese attack. The delay, which endangered Colonel Mallan’s party, saved from capture several Chinese general officers including the commander of the Chinese 16th Army Group. Throughout this mission, with full realization of the risk of capture and being subjected to enemy fire, Colonel Mallan demonstrated extreme daring, coolness, capability and tact, saving Allied personnel and material and setting an example of confidence and leadership for his party. Colonel Mallan’s actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.