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) Dean McCandless (ASN: 0-414073), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 9 July 1943 south of ****, Sicily. Lieutenant McCandless landed by parachute in hostile territory with his section and immediately proceeded to secure his communications equipment in the face of intense machine gun fire. After destroying what he was unable to salvage, he organized his communications group as a rifle unit and led them through the subsequent action to successful completion of assigned missions. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.