The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technician Fifth Grade Preston J. Maloney (ASN: 33086744), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 13th Field Artillery Brigade, in action in March 1943, in Tunisia. When his battery was engaging the enemy in Tunisia, Technician Fifth Grade Maloney was given the mission of establishing a forward telephone switchboard. He installed and maintained these communications during heavy bombing attacks without regard for his own personal safety. On one occasion he was thrown from his machine gun by concussion from an enemy bomb. By his heroic actions in the face of constant enemy fire he was largely responsible for the continued communications of this brigade without which our artillery fire would not have been effective. He was killed in action by an enemy bomb on 31 March 1943. Technician Fifth Grade Maloney’s 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, his unit, and the United States Army.