The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Dean L. Craner (ASN: 36971286), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 6 January 1945, near Gambsheim, France. As a member of a platoon attacking across open terrain, Private Craner was pinned down by fire from an enemy machine gun. Shortly thereafter the entire company was held up by a heavy concentration of artillery. Facing the terrific hostile fire, and with utter disregard for his own safety, Private Craner moved to a position from which he killed the enemy machine gunner with rifle fire and prevented others from operating the weapon. As a result of his courageous act, one of the enemy was killed, twenty were taken prisoners and his company was enabled to move out of the artillery concentration and continue on to its objective.