The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) James Leo Dalton, II (ASN: 0-19100), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 – 24 January 1943 at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Lieutenant Colonel Dalton personally led a patrol of eighteen infantrymen in an attack to be undertaken in co-ordination with another similar patrol, on an enemy position which had been previously located. The other patrol was halted by enemy machine gun and rifle fire. The patrol led by Lieutenant Colonel Dalton proceeded into the enemy-infested area and relieved the pressure from the other patrol, killing ten of the enemy. The following day Lieutenant Colonel Dalton organized a larger patrol which cleared the area of all enemy resistance, killing thirty-five of the enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Dalton, 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 Army.