The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Dayle E. Bonifield (ASN: 35632515), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry division, in action against an armed enemy on 9 April 1945, in the vicinity of Lampholdshausen, Germany. Technical Sergeant Bonifield, with outstanding daring and aggressive leadership, led his platoon at a dead run ahead of accompanying tanks into an enemy position which lay beyond 700 yards of open ground, exposed to hostile fire and captured or killed the enemy. Continuing the attack at the same rapid pace, Sergeant Bonifield and his platoon drove through the city and established a defensive line on the far side, while the remainder of the company was engaged in clearing the town. Sergeant Bonifield’s magnificent courage and outstanding gallantry under fire reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.