(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Lawrence M. Elkins (ASN: 0-665908), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Navigator of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber 71st Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Papua, New Guinea, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 20 December 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Elkins, 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.