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) Billy Burr Hollingshead (ASN: 0-663730), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an A-20 Havoc Bomber with the 388th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force, in action between Gusap and Dumpu, New Guinea, on 15 January 1944. This officer was a wing-man on a patrol mission. As the formation climbed for altitude an undetermined number of hostile fighters approached from the rear. Lieutenant Hollingshead sighted the enemy first and received no response from his flight leader. While attempting to attract the flight leader’s attention, Japanese interceptors fired on him, wounding him in the leg. Although he could have dived away, he remained on the leader’s wing, furnishing protection for other aircraft until it was finally shot down and his own plane badly damaged. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Hollingshead, 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.