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) Albert C. Henning (ASN: 0-750916), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-24 type aircraft of FIFTEENTH Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 26 June 1944. Lieutenant Henning participated in a highly strategic bombardment mission against vital enemy installations in Germany. En route to and over the target area, his aircraft encountered severe enemy opposition from aggressive fighters and anti-aircraft fire. A direct hit in his bomb bay was scored and large clouds of smoke and flame shot from the aircraft. Dropping to lower altitude in order to protect the rest of the formation in the event of an explosion, Lieutenant Henning gallantly continued on to the target. Fighting off successive waves of enemy aircraft, Lieutenant Henning successfully bombed the objective. After successfully bombing the objective, he broke away from the formation. Although his aircraft was at this time completely enveloped in smoke and flame, the entire crew parachuted to safety. Seconds later the aircraft exploded and disintegrated in the air. By his conspicuous gallantry, determination and professional skill, together with his intense devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout his combat career, Lieutenant Henning has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.