The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Dean Coldwell Strother (ASN: 0-18495), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane and as Commanding General of the 15th Fighter Command, 15th Air Force, in aerial operations against the enemy from 2 July to 28 July 1944. Brigadier General Strother was commanding a task force of P-51 Fighter Pilots in the Italy-to-Russia Shuttle. Through his expert planning and active participation in aerial combat, Brigadier General Strother enabled the Air Force to provide effective support to our Russian allies by inflicting grave damage to enemy equipment and supplies, contributing immeasurably to the Russian offensive then in progress. The Task Force destroyed 120 enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground, probably destroying 18, and damaging 38. Other enemy equipment immobilized included the destruction or damaging of four locomotives and 19 motor vehicles. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Strother, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.