The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Clyde W. Cosper (ASN: 0-2044866/T-120980), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 367th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations, on 13 November 1943. On that date, the plane piloted by Lieutenant Cosper was thrown out of control by turbulent air conditions, after it had been dispatched on a bombing mission. Coolly and skillfully, Lieutenant Cosper returned the plane to level flight and ordered the crew to bail out. Five crewmen parachuted from the aircraft, but before others could jump, the plane went into a spin and dropped to an altitude of 1,000 feet before Lieutenant Cosper again got it under control Although it was then almost unmanageable, he kept it stable long enough for the remaining crewmen to parachute to safety. Probably knowing that his chance of surviving was very small, he gallantly decided to crash-land his bomb-laden aircraft where it would not endanger the lives of civilians. He found a small clearing, away from the town over which he was flying, and brought his plane down. The aircraft immediately burst into flames and exploded a few seconds later, killing Lieutenant Cosper. His gallantry, flying skill and devotion to duty saved the lives of his crew and undoubtedly those of many civilians. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Cosper, 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.