The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Robert Edward Coulter, Jr. (ASN: 0-388652), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 340th Bombardment Squadron, 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force. Major Coulter demonstrated extraordinary skill, gallantry, and leadership in action, over enemy-occupied territory in North Africa during the period from 1 December 1942 to 1 February 1943. As Squadron Commander of his Heavy Bombardment Squadron, and at great risk to his personal safety, he led five high-altitude daylight bombing missions in the period above noted, which caused heavy loss to the enemy Despite intense anti-aircraft barrages, Major Coulter, by his skill as a pilot and his superior ability as the leader of the leading formation, on each occasion, successfully led his formation over the target and proficiently bombed important military installations. Then, despite constant attack by enemy fighter planes, Major Coulter swiftly and expertly employed proper evasive action; at the same time maintaining a tight formation and thus extracted all of the United States planes without loss, until the last sortie. While leading the last of these raids, Major Coulter’s plane was rammed by an enemy aircraft pressing home a frontal attack and when last seen his Flying Fortress was in a steep dive and disintegrating slowly. By his gallant deeds, his courage and coolness under fire, and his skill as a pilot and his marked ability as a leader, Major Coulter has highly upheld the aims and ideas of the Armed Forces of his Country. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Coulter, 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.