The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Boatswain’s Mate First Class Ira L. Miller, Jr., United States Navy, for gallantry in action as coxswain of a landing boat in the amphibious assault on Sicily in September 1943. Boatswain’s Mate First Class Miller displayed alert presence of mind, when his boat was riddled by machine gun fire and shrapnel, by plugging the holes with pegs and lifer preservers. Later, attacked from the air, he and his crew persisted in efforts to re-float the sunken craft until blown overboard by the concussion of a nearby bomb explosion. Boatswain’s Mate First Class Miller returned to the boat and, finding it beyond repair, disregarded his own safety to salvage all guns and equipment possible. 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 Naval Service.