The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Nathan J. Dyer (ASN: 19074705), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 20th Bomber Command, TWENTIETH Air Force, in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. Technical Sergeant Dyer, right gunner on a B-29 Superfortress, volunteered to transfer the emergency bomb bay motor from the rear to the front bomb bay when the front bomb bay doors failed to close after the ship had successfully dropped its bombs over Mukden, Manchuria. The open bomb bay doors slowed the ship and increased gasoline consumption, making it unlikely the big craft would reach friendly territory. It also opened the ship to fighter attack, and swarms of Japanese fighters hung on its flanks waiting for it to be forced out of formation. Technical Sergeant Dyer had to discard his parachute to work in the cramped quarters where the engine fits. The earth was 21,000 feet below, and the temperature was 40 degrees below zero. Despite this, he spent 40 minutes to complete the transfer, thereby saving the Army Air Forces a valuable crew and airplane. 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, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.