Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 406 (May 23, 1944)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Milton Wylie Arnold (ASN: 0-18465), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Air Commander of a division of B-24 Liberator Bombers of with the EIGHTH Air Force, during a bombardment mission over Germany on 9 April 1944. Having prepared his B-24 division’s part in a bombing operation over Tutow, Germany, site of Focke-Wulfe assembly plants, Colonel Arnold asked for and received permission to lead the formation. To reach altitude and cross the North Sea, he had to maneuver the formation through no less than seven layers of cloud with the ever-present danger of collision and heavy icing. On reaching the enemy coast, Colonel Arnold made a 360-degree turn in order to enable any stragglers to join the formation and then without fighter escort continued on deep into Germany where he underwent savage attacks by a large force of enemy fighters. He led his units over the primary target and bombed it successfully. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Arnold, 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.