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 First Class Daniel P. Vasion, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 1 February 1944. Although knocked unconscious and his vision temporarily impaired when an enemy shell burst five yards from him, Private First Class Vasion recovered and killed three Germans as they were attempting to set up a machine gun 100 yards away. Ignoring continuous enemy automatic weapons fire which struck at his feet, and tank shells which landed as close as 15 yards away during a strong enemy counterattack, Private First Class Vasion rallied a group of eight Infantry riflemen to engage the attackers and himself killed two more and wounded five with his accurate rifle fire. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.