The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Bernard Edward Scalan, United States Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Boat Group Commander during the amphibious assault at Salerno, Italy, on 9 September 1943. Braving intense fire from enemy shore emplacements, Lieutenant Commander Scalan marshaled and led the first and succeeding boat waves to the assigned assault beach, maintaining effective control of landings in spite of fierce enemy opposition. His brilliant leadership and tenacious devotion to duty contributed immeasurable to the success of our assault operations in a vital area.