The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Earl Dean Bronson (NSN: 0-197465), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the performance of his duties as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. BANG (SS-385), during a war patrol of that Submarine in 1944. His outstanding skill and precise control of depth enabled his Commanding Officer to deliver undetected, a highly successful attack against a heavily escorted enemy convoy which resulted in the sinking of enemy ships totaling 24,000 tons. His high degree of efficiency and coolness during severe enemy countermeasures greatly assisted his ship in conducting successful evasive tactics. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men with whom he served and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Earl Dean Bronson (NSN: 0-197465), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. BANG (SS-385), during the FIRST War Patrol of that Submarine from 29 March 1944 to 14 May 1944. His high degree of skill and precise control of depth, assisted his Commanding Officer materially in delivering aggressive torpedo attacks against heavily escorted enemy convoys. In spite of enemy shelling, bombing and depth-charging, these attacks resulted in the sinking of three enemy ships including a destroyer for a total of 20,200 tons, and damaging two additional enemy ships totaling 15,000 tons. His high degree of efficiency and coolness during these periods of severe enemy countermeasures greatly assisted his ship in conducting successful evasive tactics. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men in his ship, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Earl Dean Bronson (NSN: 0-197465), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the performance of his duties as Target Bearing Transmitter Operator and Diving Officer aboard the U.S.S. BANG (SS-385), during a war patrol of that submarine in 1944. His constant and accurate reports and his exceptional skill and precise control of depth contributed much to the success of his Commanding Officer in conducting attacks which resulted in the sinking of enemy vessels totaling over 30,000 tons, and damaging additional shipping totaling over 9,000 tons. His coolness and high degree of efficiency contributed greatly to the success of his vessel in evading strong enemy counterattacks and in returning to port safely. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men with whom he served and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.