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 (Corps of Engineers) Mason James Young (ASN: 0-3788), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Engineer Officer for the SEVENTH U.S. Army Corps, in action against the enemy at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Landing early at Utah Beach on D-Day, Colonel Young supervised the clearing of beach obstacles and preparation of roads inland. When the advance command post of the 4th Infantry Division came ashore he reported to the Division Commander, Major General Raymond A. Barton, and briefed him on the engineer situation and the availability of roads inland. The command post and the beach area were being shelled by German artillery at the time and Colonel Young led the command post group to a safer location, an area which his engineers had cleared and marked in the middle of a mine field. Colonel Young’s conduct materially contributed to the success of the operation. The courage, coolness and complete disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer reflects the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.