The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Bertrum E. Ellingson (ASN: 0-529013), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot of the 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy during an escort mission over Germany on 25 December 1944. Captain Ellingson unhesitatingly led his outnumbered squadron of Mustangs in an attack on a formation of German fighters preparing to strike at U.S. bombers. During the resulting sky battle, the German planes were scattered and Captain Ellingson found himself separated from the squadron. Alone in a sky full of hostile planes, he shot down an FW 190 before attacking another formation of 40 Messerschmitts single-handedly. He destroyed one of them and drove the remainder out of formation when he was forced to withdraw from the battle because of insufficient fuel supply. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Ellingson, 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.