The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Armor) Dale H. Sillix (ASN: 0-1015755), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 27th Infantry Division at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 6 July 1944. While supporting the attack of a battalion of infantry, Lieutenant Sillix moved forward in an attempt to knock out a Japanese pillbox. He attempted in vain to depress his guns sufficiently but could not deliver fire into the strongpoint. Since this position was holding up the entire advance, Lieutenant Sillix dismounted, and with his Thompson sub-machine gun personally destroyed the position, although he was wounded by a Japanese grenade in so doing. Two days later refusing to be relieved of duty because of his wound, he employed the same tactics against a sniper who was firing into the battalion command post. He killed the Japanese, but was again wounded, this time very severely, by a grenade fragment in the stomach. His fearless and gallant action throughout the campaign reflects the highest credit upon the military service.


