(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) Thomas Hearne Felker (ASN: 0-715173), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-26 Medium Bomber of the NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, on 10 February 1945. Lieutenant Felker’s bomber was struck several times by heavy flak. Although seriously wounded in both legs, he held the aircraft steady so others could bail out, and then the aircraft lost power and crashed into a mountain near Monchau, Germany. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Felker, 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.