The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (AFSN: 1975A/ASN: 0-424588), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 31 July 1944, Major Warford led his squadron as escort for heavy bombers attacking vital enemy installations in Rumania. In the target area, Major Warford observed another squadron of P-51’s engaged in combat with a superior number of enemy fighter aircraft. Although still outnumbered, Major Warford ordered one flight to provide top cover and he maneuvered his three other flights to engage the enemy force. Major Warford gallantly and courageously led the attack against the superior number of enemy fighters, and in the ensuing aerial battle, although his plane was damaged by enemy shell fire, he destroyed one enemy aircraft. Major Warford then observed a fellow pilot engaged with an enemy fighter, and despite the severe damage to his plane, immediately went to the assistance of his comrade. In this engagement, the enemy fighter attempted to evade combat, but Major Warford, again displaying exceptional heroism and flying skill, closed in on the enemy aircraft and destroyed it. By his conspicuous gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty while flying over forty successful missions against the enemy Major Warford has destroyed eight enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and damaged another, and has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Victor Edwin Warford (AFSN: 1975A/ASN: 0-424588), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. On 11 October 1944, Colonel Warford led a group formation on a strafing mission against a vital enemy airdrome in Czechoslovakia. Despite severe and adverse weather conditions he brought his formation to the target area. Unable to locate the primary target due to heavy ground haze, displaying outstanding aggressiveness and determination, he led his group against targets of opportunity and personally destroyed three locomotives and an oil storage tank. Though low on fuel and ammunition, Colonel Warford led an attack on an enemy airdrome which contained numerous hostile aircraft, despite continued adverse weather and the presence of five enemy fighters in the area. In the ensuing engagement in which he destroyed several enemy aircraft on the ground, his ship was damaged by enemy ground fire and further crippled by the fire of hostile fighters which intercepted his damaged plane. When last heard of Colonel Warford radioed his wingman that he was going to parachute to safety. By his conspicuous gallantry, professional skill and devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout fifty-five successful missions against the enemy, Colonel Warford has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.