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) Michael J. Connery (ASN: 0-688924), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as the Lead Bombardier for a B-24 squadron of the 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in action over Continental Europe in June 1944. During the run over the target, Lieutenant Connery was synchronizing his bomb sight when his aircraft was hit by several bursts of flak, one engine being knocked out and another set afire. Immediately following this, fragments of another shell shattered the Plexiglas nose, the impact of which knocked Lieutenant Connery down. Splinters of the glass hit him about his face and eyes, momentarily impairing his sight. Overhearing the navigator report this over the interphone to the pilot, he insisted he was alright and returned to his bomb sight, releasing his bombs accurately on the target. The squadron, bombing on his release achieved excellent results. The gallantry, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Connery contributed in large measure to the destruction wrought on an important enemy installation.