The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Dennis Lee Danielson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, First Lieutenant Danielson, Aircraft Commander of an CH-53 Super Jolly Green helicopter of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, supported the recovery of the S.S. Mayaguez and its crew. Despite heavy enemy weapons and rocket fire, First Lieutenant Danielson and his crew delivered part of the U.S. Marine contingent to Koh Tan Island in the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to providing air cover during the removal of the wounded, his crew also returned to the island under total darkness and successfully recovered a group of Marines who were under intense fire from the enemy forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Danielson has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.