The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Thomas Joseph Gent, Jr. (ASN: 0-19927), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 4 April 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Gent led his group of heavy bombers on a particularly important mission over Hungary. Severe weather conditions were encountered which not only threatened to preclude the successful completion of this mission but caused his group to become separated from the rest of the Wing formation causing him to take the brunt of fighter attacks. Turn-backs seriously depleted the strength of his own group, however, realizing the strategic importance of the target, Lieutenant Colonel Gent chose to continue to the target at all costs. Reaching the target area, the group was subjected to heavy, intense, and accurate enemy flak and repeated attacks by approximately one-hundred enemy fighters. In spite of the determined opposition, Lieutenant Colonel Gent so maneuvered his Group that under his gallant leadership, an extremely successful bombing run was accomplished, causing grave damage to the enemy installations. Leaving the target, under constant enemy fighter attacks, he coolly maneuvered his Group to provide each aircraft with the greatest fire power, and through his superior handling of the formation, his unit destroyed forty, probably destroyed thirteen, and damaged six enemy aircraft. By his exceptional leadership under fire and conspicuous gallantry in the face of tremendous odds, Lieutenant Colonel Gent has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.