(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Theodore E. Burda, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress with the FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. Second Lieutenant Burda attacked Rabaul in an effort to cripple Japanese shipping being used in the Solomon Island. He and his crew were forced to blast their way through a protective screen of Zeros to reach the target area, continually fought off more Zeros while they released their bombs, and returned safely to their home base, being credited with shooting down four Zeros and sinking or damaging four surface ships. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.