(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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Otto H. Hinds (ASN: 0-750392), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 353d Bombardment Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations during a bombing mission over Austria on 29 May 1944. Lieutenant Hinds’ bomber was heavily hit by flak and began a steep dive. With great skill and courage he fought to keep the bomber level as the crew bailed out. When the crew had exited, his parachute prematurely opened in his lap while seated, and by the time he bailed out the bomber was only 1,000 feet above the ground, and when his parachute failed to completely deploy, he was seriously injured, and subsequently died of those wounds. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Hinds, 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.