(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 Corporal Robert J. Turnbull (ASN: 38061303), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Member of the Air Crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), THIRTEENTH Air Force, while engaged in a search mission over enemy territory on 9 February 1943, in the South Pacific Area. During this search his airplane was attacked by eight enemy Zero fighters. The enemy circled at maximum gun range, executing a series of direct assaults. Two of the enemy fighters were shot down and two more were probably destroyed during the initial phase of the air battle, although one engine of the bomber was silenced, ten guns were damaged beyond usefulness, and all members of the crew wounded. After attacking for an hour and a half, the fighters finally gave up the chase, leaving two motors of the bomber silenced and a third damaged. By this time the airplane was flying at an altitude of barely 20 feet above the water. The Pilot ordered the removal of all possible gear and the pilot, after approximately an hour’s effort, was able to gain an altitude of 800 feet. When a water landing of the disabled airplane was necessitated, all of the crew escaped from the wreckage. The group of airmen paddled and drifted in two inflated life rafts through torrid sun and tropical storms for more than 600 miles, until on the sixteenth day they made their way through a difficult coral passage to a group of little-known islands in enemy territory where, upon being recognized as Americans, they received what rest and comforts the war starved native settlement could offer. More than two months after the encounter with the enemy fighters the air crew reached an island occupied by friendly personnel and were returned to their base. His gallant actions and skill contributed greatly to the escape and safe return of his entire crew. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Turnbull, 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.