The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Claire Alfred Pelton Duffie (ASN: 0-24884), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, on 25 August 1944. While leading a squadron of fighters on a bomber escort mission over Germany, Captain Duffie observed a group of 40 enemy planes coming into attack the bombers. He detailed one of his flights for top cover and, disregarding the size of the enemy force, led the squadron’s two other flights in a daring attack. Making a head-on assault, Captain Duffie destroyed an ME-109, and scored three hits on another. During the engagement, five more of the enemy fighters were shot down by the men of his squadron. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Duffie, 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.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Claire Alfred Pelton Duffie (ASN: 0-24884), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 434th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. Major Duffie destroyed two enemy aircraft when his squadron strafed the halberstadt airdrome deep in Germany, while his squadron totaled ten enemy aircraft for the day. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Duffie, 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.