(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant William M. Brown (ASN: 17004410), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Aerial Engineer and Gunner of a B-26 Marauder Bomber of the 33d Bombardment Squadron, 22d Bombardment Group (Medium), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 9 January 1943. Staff Sergeant Brown’s bomber took off on a bombing mission against a Japanese Convoy off Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. They were attacked near the target by Japanese Zeros, and over the target they were hit by anti-aircraft fire and severely damaged, forcing the pilot to ditch in Hercules Bay about 11 miles off shore. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Brown, 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 Air Forces.