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 Technical Sergeant Richard D. Straw (ASN: 33553790), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Flight Engineer and Gunner of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 22 July 1944, Sergeant Straw participated in a bombing mission against a vital oil center in Bulgaria. Over the target, his formation encountered intense, heavy and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire which severely damaged his aircraft and set it on fire. Sergeant Straw, realizing the intense hazard, heroically battled and controlled the spread of the fire to enable the accurate release of the bombs, which inflicted grave damage to vital enemy installations. Though the order to abandon ship was given and other members of the crew began to leave the stricken ship, Sergeant Straw, with complete disregard for his personal safety, courageously continued his determined and persistent efforts to extinguish the spreading fire and was last seen himself completely enveloped in flames. By his conspicuous gallantry, determination and intense devotion to duty, in risking his life to insure the safety of others, Sergeant Straw has upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.