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) Jesse M. Harrison (ASN: 0-675587), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group, IX Troop Carrier Command, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy on 19 September 1944. Lieutenant Harrison piloted a Troop Carrier plane towing a glider loaded with troops and artillery on a critical mission to an objective in Holland. Flying through a hail of flak and small arms fire, the aircraft managed to escape serious damage until it was within five miles of the landing zone, where it was struck and set afire. Although the blaze spread rapidly and became increasingly intense, Lieutenant Harrison, with heroic determination, continued on courage. Near the landing zone the plane was again struck by flak and fresh fires swept through the cabin. Lieutenant Harrison ordered the crew chief and radio operator to bail out while opportunity was available and continued over the landing zone where the glider was released for a safe landing on the objective. Then, mission accomplished, Lieutenant Harrison and his copilot crawled through the blazing fuselage, suffering severe burns and managed to parachute to safety before the aircraft crashed to earth. The undaunted courage displayed by Lieutenant Harrison in the face of great personal danger and his solicitude for the members of his crew, combined with his determination to complete the mission, are in the highest traditions of the United Sates Army Air Forces.