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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John Diffendal (ASN: 0-692139), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane in Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Italy on 23 December 1944. On that date, Lieutenant Diffendal flew as section leader of an eight-plane formation of fighter-bombers attacking enemy-occupied buildings near Bologna, Italy, Encountering an almost complete overcast over the target area, Lieutenant Diffendal ordered his flight to maintain altitude as he dived through the clouds to locate his objective. Maneuvering into the clear in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire which heavily damaged his plane, Lieutenant Diffendal located the target and rejoined his flight. By guiding his P-47’s on a perfect bomb run in the face of the continuing barrage which further damaged his aircraft, Lieutenant Diffendal enabled them to score direct hits, inflicting great destruction and damage upon the enemy. Then, despite the crippled condition of his plane, he reformed his flight and repeatedly strafed enemy targets in the area, destroying or damaging one locomotive, thirty railroad cars, three motor vehicles and a large quantity of supplies before exhausting his ammunition. Turning homeward, Lieutenant Diffendal’s plane sustained another direct hit from the enemy ground fire and it was seen to fall, out of control, and crash in hostile territory. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Diffendal, 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.