The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Benjamin Harrison Emmert, Jr. (ASN: 0-666903/9578A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 318th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. On 31 July 1944, Lieutenant Emmert led a group formation as escort to heavy bombers attacking strategic enemy installations in Rumania. Approaching the target, his squadron became separated from the rest of the formation, and sighting hostile ships in the distance, Lieutenant Emmert led his formation to engage the enemy. Despite the overwhelming superiority of hostile ships, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Emmert intercepted the hostile force. In the ensuing engagement, displaying outstanding leadership, aggressiveness and combat proficiency, Lieutenant Emmert destroyed three enemy fighters and damaged five others. Throughout the aerial battle, his comrades accounted for fifteen additional hostile aircraft. Through his highly effective fighter cover, the bombers were thus enabled to complete a highly successful mission and return to base unmolested. By his conspicuous gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout over fifty-eight successful missions against the enemy and six enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial battle, Lieutenant Emmert has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.