(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant David Statland (ASN: 33189644), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Radio Operator of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 529th Bombardment Squadron, 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force (Attached to RAAF), while participating in a bombing mission on 26 October 1943, against enemy Japanese targets at Pomelaa, Celebes, east of Timor in the Southwest Pacific Area. Technical Sergeant Statland’s bomber was attacked by a dozen enemy fighters as it completed its bombing run, and one of its engines was shot out and another set afire. Limping, the plane fell from formation and dropped into a cloud but, when it emerged again, was attacked by 10 more Japanese fighters. In a 40-minute running battle at eight of these were certainly shot down and two probably destroyed. But another engine of the bomber was shot out and a third crippled. In diving to windmill the damaged engine into operation, the tail section was damaged by contact with trees. In order to cover as much as possible the thousand miles to base, all heavy equipment was jettisoned except the top turret gun and 25 rounds of ammunition. In the vicinity of Kisar Island, two enemy fighters engaged the bomber. With ammunition expended, the pilot managed flight, defenseless for 30 minutes, using all evasive tactics possible with two engines. The bomber was riddled with machine gun and cannon fire, the co-pilot’s controls were shot out, and every member of the crew was killed or wounded. The pilot was severely injured in the arm, body and head but refused to give up and brought his crippled bomber to a smooth landing on the open sea. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Technical Sergeant Statland on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the FIFTH Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces.