The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Burley J. McCandless (ASN: RA-16310219), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company L, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 16 September 1950 in the vicinity of Changnyong, Korea. On that date his company was advancing toward the Naktong River. In the initial stages of the attack, the advance of the company was halted by fire from two enemy anti-tank guns. Sergeant McCandless, leader of a 57-mm. recoilless rifle squad, immediately exposed himself to the heavy hostile fire as he moved forward to engage the enemy. From an exposed position he directed the fire of his squad with such accuracy that one of the anti-tank guns was immediately destroyed. Although he was by now the center of the concentrated fire power of the enemy, he fearlessly remained in his position directing his squad until a direct hit from the second enemy anti-tank gun destroyed the recoilless rifle and wounded him. As a result of his heroic action the enemy withdrew from the fire of his weapon and his company gained its objective with a minimum of casualties. The gallantry and leadership displayed on this occasion by Sergeant McCandless reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.