The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to First Lieutenant Benjamin E. Dale, Jr. (MCSN: 0-11356), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action while participating in an aerial flight on 29 March 1943. As a pilot of an F-4U airplane in a flight with five P-38 fighters which took off from Guadalcanal on a mission to destroy a concentration of enemy aircraft, he reached the target area in spite of such adverse weather conditions that ten other fighters which took off on this flight lost contact and were forced to return to their bases. He participated in the attack in such a manner as to surprise the enemy anti-aircraft installations and to avoid their heavier concentrations. Six enemy float airplanes were destroyed on the water. On the return trip from this mission the flight located an enemy destroyer. Lieutenant Dale, without hesitation, accompanied the flight in an attack, making four passes at this objective causing the destroyer to sink. The sound judgment and superior skill displayed by Lieutenant Dale contributed directly to the achievements accomplished by this flight.