The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Gene Collison (NSN: 0-81038), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Approach Officer of the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS-279), during the SEVENTH War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters, from 4 October to 18 November 1944. Through his excellent judgment and thorough knowledge of attack problems, Lieutenant Commander Collison rendered valuable assistance to his commanding officer in launching repeated torpedo attacks to sink three enemy ships totaling over 22,000 tons and to inflict damage on two additional hostile vessels totaling over 9,000 tons. By his leadership and devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant Commander Collison contributed materially to the success of his ship in evading severe enemy countermeasures and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.