The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Donald Leigh Mehlhop (NSN: 0-78657), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SHAD (SS-235), during the TENTH War Patrol of that Submarine in the enemy Japanese-controlled waters of the East China and Yellow Sea Areas from 3 May to 16 June 1945. Maneuvering his submarine through shoal waters, often registering as shallow as four fathoms, in an effort to engage the hostile ships which were hugging the enemy coast line, Commander Mehlhop executed five torpedo attacks which resulted in sinking three Japanese ships totaling 13,500 tons, and skillfully evaded severe enemy countermeasures. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Command Mehlhop and the United States Naval Service.