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) John William McGuyrt, Jr. (ASN: 0-743463), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 48th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Action. On 2 April 1944, Lieutenant McGuyrt was Group Leader and Pilot of a P-38 type aircraft flying escort for heavy bombardment aircraft on a bombing mission over Austria. Noticing fifteen enemy aircraft closing in to attack the bombers, Lieutenant McGuyrt instantly dove for the enemy leader. Although exposing himself to concentrated enemy fire, he attacked the enemy leader with such skill and determination that the enemy aircraft exploded in mid-air, and the remainder of the enemy formation dispersed. Turning, Lieutenant McGuyrt observed forty twin engine enemy aircraft climbing to intercept the bombers, and, with only three P-38s, he attacked the very center of the enemy formation. In an all out battle, Lieutenant McGuyrt and his flight destroyed seven enemy aircraft without loss to themselves. At the height of this engagement, Lieutenant McGuyrt sighted three enemy fighters rapidly closing in on a lone and crippled P-38. Again Lieutenant McGuyrt drew the enemy’s fire in order to save a comrade, completing the destruction of his second enemy aircraft. After a twenty-five minute engagement, Lieutenant McGuyrt’s group had destroyed twenty enemy fighters. By his conspicuous gallantry, together with his leadership and devotion to duty as shown throughout his outstanding combat record of over forty-eight successful combat missions against the enemy, Lieutenant McGuyrt has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.