The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Coit T. Hendley (Henley), United States Coast Guard (Reserve), for heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LCI (L) 85 while landing assault troops in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Lieutenant Hendley successfully landed his troops despite the mining of his vessel, fire in three compartments and a concentration of enemy fire while unloading. His courage and seamanship in directing repairs and retracting from the beach resulted in saving the lives of many wounded aboard.