The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Robert L. Reed (ASN: 39651544), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Tail Gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 334th Bombardment Squadron, 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, during a heavy bombardment mission to Brunswick, Germany, on 10 February 1944. When his aircraft was attacked by fifteen to twenty FW 190’s over the Zuider Zee, Sergeant Reed received penetrating wounds in both arms and his oxygen system was shot out. Although suffering great pain and without sufficient oxygen, he stayed at his tail guns and destroyed one enemy aircraft and probably destroyed another. Only when the situation became hopeless and the pilot gave the order to “bail out” did Sergeant Reed cease firing. He painfully dragged himself to the rear escape hatch and bailed out. The outstanding courage and determination to destroy the enemy shown by Sergeant Reed on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.