The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Albert M. Hopkins (ASN: 6536596), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Flight Engineer of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 14th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Far East Air Force, in action against the enemy from 10 to 14 April 1942. Sergeant Hopkins departed from Batchelor Field, N.T., Australia, on 10 April 1942 for a secret advance base in the Philippine Islands. He bombed enemy shipping at Batangas but was forced to return before noon to his base because of damage to the plane. While repairing it, the enemy raided the field and further damaged the plane, which necessitated working all night so that the crew might take off in the morning. Half an hour after the take-off, an engine went out and the long trip back to Australia was accomplished with a crippled plane. This remarkable achievement exemplifies the highest accomplishments of the United Sates Air Corps and is in keeping with hits highest standards.