The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Charles Prokopowicz, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force against Serbian Forces, at nor near Kosovo, on 1 June 1999. On that date, as a night forward air controller Kosovo Engagement Zone mission commander, Colonel Prokopowicz’s task of finding tactical targets was impaired by extremely poor weather. Using his knowledge of the area and meticulous pre-mission study, he was able to locate an ammunition storage area. Exhibiting outstanding flexibility and in-flight leadership, he re-designated an attack in order to achieve the required penetration effects despite the weather and wrong munitions. P:erforming a buddy-lase attack, Colonel Prokopowicz lased his wingman’s bombs directly into the front door of the bunker, resulting in some spectacular secondary explosions. During his second attack, an anti-aircraft artillery site opened fire on his wingman. He immediately directed a threat reaction, which defeated the anti-aircraft artillery reaching above his wingman’s altitude. Colonel Prokopowicz then boldly placed himself between the anti-aircraft artillery and his wingman, and delivered a full burst of 20-millimeter cannon fire, which silenced the site. Following this attack, he expertly delivered a GBU-12, permanently silencing the enemy. Through his bold action and brilliant in-flight leadership, he not only saved his wingman, but sent a message to the enemy that there was a price to be paid for shooting at North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Prokopowicz has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.