The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman First Class Gene Edwin Oxley, United States Coast Guard (Reserve), for gallantry while on the U.S.S. LCI(L)-85 during the assault on the coast of France on 6 June 1944, and for extraordinary courage in volunteering and twice taking a line ashore, in the face of heavy machine gun and shell fire, in order to assist troops unloading from the ship to the beach through chest deep water. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Seaman First Class Oxley, 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 Coast Guard.