The Silver Star Medallion is awarded to U.S. military personnel for gallantry in action during combat. It is the third-highest military decoration, given to individuals who display exceptional courage, bravery, or selflessness while under enemy fire. The award can be earned for a single act of heroism or repeated actions demonstrating remarkable bravery in combat situations. It is presented to members of all branches of the Armed Forces for acts of valor that involve significant personal risk to protect others or accomplish critical objectives during battle. This Silver Star was presented to Philip Trusheim, the coxswain who steered the first boarding party boat from the USS Pillsbury to the German submarine, the U-505, on June 4, 1944. As this was the first American boat to approach the German sub after the conclusion of the battle, the American sailors had no way of knowing if the sub was rigged to explode. Trushiem and the rest of this boarding party put their lives on the line to ensure the capture of the U-505.