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 Major (Air Corps) Allan Jackson Sewart, Jr. (ASN 0-22430), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 26th Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), THIRTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 18 November 1942. Major Sewart, as flight leader of a formation of five heavy bombardment airplanes, proceeded on a mission to bomb enemy objectives near Buin, Solomon Islands. Reaching the target area, Major Sewart’s flight immediately launched a bombing run over enemy surface vessels of Kahili airfield, choosing a stationary cargo vessel as the target. Due to mechanical difficulties the bombs did not release and a second run was made through extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition. On this run a number of 1,000-pound bombs were dropped on the cargo vessel from all airplanes of the flight except that of Major Sewart. In the face of continuous and close attack by approximately eighteen enemy land-based and float-type fighters, Major Sewart did not turn away from the attack even though he could not release his bombs. Shortly following this action, Major Sewart lost his life and his co-pilot was morally wounded during a frontal attack by an enemy fighter. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Sewart, 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.