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 Staff Sergeant James P. Davis (ASN: 37377391), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Waist Gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 549th Bombardment Squadron, 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations on a combat mission to Berlin, Germany, on 6 October 1944. En route to the target, Sergeant Davis was seriously and painfully wounded when enemy fighters attacked the airplane. Despite his wounds and loss of blood, he remained at his guns and probably destroyed an enemy aircraft before he was killed by a burst of fire from an enemy airplane. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Davis, 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.