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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Freeland Ludwig Dunker (ASN: 0-748380), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 463d Bombardment Group (Heavy), 15th Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, on 8 July 1944. Lieutenant Dunker participated in a bombing mission against a vital enemy airdrome in Austria. Approaching the target, his formation encountered intense heavy and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire which rendered two engines inoperative, destroyed vital controls, and a direct hit in the fuel tank made the danger of fire imminent. Displaying outstanding professional skill and courage, he maneuvered his crippled ship over the target, dropping his bombs to share in the complete destruction of vitally important enemy installations. Leaving the objective, through exceptional determination and airmanship, he maintained control of his almost unairworthy aircraft until safely over friendly territory. Giving the order to abandon ship, he gallantly remained at his position, holding the stricken aircraft on a level courage to facilitate the bailing out of his crew members. After the last man had cleared the plane it went into a spin, precluding the possibility of Lieutenant Dunker parachuting to safety. By his conspicuous courage, in sacrificing his life for the lives of his comrades, together with his outstanding professional skill and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout his combat career, Lieutenant Dunker has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United Sates of America.