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) Raymond A. Syptak (ASN: 0-409778), 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 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, while leading a group of B- 17 Flying Fortresses on a bombardment mission over enemy-occupied territory in 1944. Just prior to reaching the target, enemy fighters made a savage attack on his aircraft, knocking out one engine, damaging a second engine and completely destroying a large number of instruments. Expertly utilizing the power of the remaining engines, Major Syptak, determined to complete the mission, maneuvered back into the lead position and continued on the bombing run. Over the target area, a direct flak hit destroyed the rudder control cables, punctured the oxygen supply tanks and started a raging fire inside the plane. Major Syptak ordered the crew to bail out. Unable to open the escape hatch in the nose compartment, Major Syptak, weak from lack of oxygen, struggled back to the cockpit and brought the stricken plane under control, while the engineer succeeded in extinguishing the flames. When the engineer’s clothes caught fire, Major Syptak put out the flames with his bare hands. During the return journey a second engine went out entirely, but despite this added handicap, he piloted the aircraft back to England and made a safe landing. The gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and superior flying skill displayed by Major Syptak, undoubtedly saved the lives of the crewmen trapped in the burning aircraft.