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 Captain (Air Corps) James A. Gunn, Jr. (ASN: 0-791098), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 343d Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), [detached from the 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy)], NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations during the low-level bombing mission against the Oil Refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on 1 August 1943. Flying at 200 feet over the target, through smoke and roaring flames, oil tank explosions, exploding bombs, barrage balloons, and violent concentration of heavy flak, he kept to his course and went over the target. The valor he displayed when faced with the overwhelming odds and great peril, will serve as a lasting inspiration to the men of the United States Army Air Forces.