The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) William J. Schneider (ASN: 0-790411), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber of the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations while commanding an 18-plane bombing raid over Italy on 23 February 1945. As the formation approached the heavily defended rail link at Dogna, Italy, an extremely accurate antiaircraft barrage enveloped the B-25s, severely crippling Major Schneider’s plane and damaging many other bombers in his formation. With his right engine not functioning, the propeller control mechanism inoperative, as well as the airspeed indicator destroyed and a smashed elevator trim tab, Major Schneider led all the bombardiers to drop their payloads on the communications point. Major Schneider then contacted an air-sea rescue unit to be continuously updated with accurate bearings of their location and communicated with a fellow B-25 aircrew in his formation and relayed to his pilot vital information to assist with the return flight. During the landing procedure, Major Schneider assisted the pilot with a successful emergency crash landing and the safe return of all his crew members. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Schneider, 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.