The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) August C. Falen (ASN: 0-1288725), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action about five miles west of *** ***, in Sicily. Lieutenant Falen, commanding a light machine gun platoon of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, participated in the attack on Hill *** near Route *** which drove back a superior force approximately one-half mile. The enemy counter-attacked with support from heavy artillery, mortars, and***, *** and *** ** tanks. Lieutenant Falen personally led his platoon in the face of the heavy enemy fire, through scanty orchard cover to within 50 yards of the tanks. He directed the fire of his men to such effect that the tanks were prevented from crossing the ridge, where they could have inflicted severe casualties on his battalion. In this gallant action Lieutenant Falen acquitted himself in a manner reflecting credit upon himself and his country.