The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Edward E. Dagenhart (ASN: 20724955), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Normandy, France, 11 July 1944. When a platoon of his company was held up by enemy machine gun fire, coming from an emplaced tank serving as a pillbox, Private Dagenhart, armed with a bazooka, and his assistant received the mission of destroying the enemy tank. In order to secure a position from which fire could be directed upon the tank, it was necessary for the bazooka team to crawl for one hundred yards under enemy observation. Before reaching the firing position, Private Dagenhart’s assistant was killed by enemy fire. Without hesitation, Private Dagenhart secured the ammunition from his fallen comrade and continued alone on his mission, and loading and operating the weapon alone, fired three rounds, scoring two direct hits on the enemy tank which neutralized the machine gun fire so that his platoon was enabled to advance. The courage, skill, and zeal in fulfilling his mission reflects credit on Private Dagenhart as an individual soldier and is in keeping with the high traditions of military service.