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 James A. Wakefield (ASN: 39174079), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Right Waist Gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 533d Bombardment Squadron, 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations on an operational mission to Schweinfurt, Germany, on 17 August 1943. En route to the target, the aircraft sustained severe damage from enemy fighters. Although seriously wounded in both legs and after the bail-out order had been given, Sergeant Wakefield continued to defend the aircraft from his waist-gun position and shot down two enemy aircraft. The tenacity of purpose, exceptional courage, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Wakefield reflect great credit on himself and the United States Military Service.