The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Otis Robert Cole, Jr. (NSN: 0-77115), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. DACE (SS-247) during the SIXTH War Patrol of that Submarine against enemy Japanese forces in the South China Sea Area from 2 December 1944 to 28 January 1945. Forced to submerge to 300 feet after enemy depth charges and bombing attacks had inflicted minor damage to his vessel during the performance of a special mine-laying mission, Commander Cole skillfully maneuvered to evade further hostile attacks and, despite the presence of mines, anti-submarine devices and enemy countermeasures, launched torpedo attacks against two 4,000-ton Japanese freighters screened by escort vessels, sinking one and damaging the other. His fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Command Cole and the United States Naval Service.