The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William E. Bertram (ASN: 0-421578), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 51st Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, in 1943. First Lieutenant Bertram, with five other officers, developed the technique making it possible for hard-hitting P-40 Warhawk fighter planes to carry 1,000-pound bombs against the Japanese. Five Successive missions resulted in heavy damage to an enemy-occupied city, extensive damage to two Japanese airdromes and destruction of two enemy-controlled railway bridges. The conduct, daring and skill which these missions were accomplished reflect much credit upon First Lieutenant Bertram and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.