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) Joseph E. Kosakowski (ASN: 0-726042), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Bombardier on a B-17 airplane of the 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, on a bombing mission over enemy-occupied Continental Europe, on 17 November 1942. The airplane sustained such severe damage from enemy that the pilot ordered the crew to prepare to bail out. Displaying great courage, Lieutenant Kosakowski, with complete disregard for his own safety, after aiding his fellow crew members, returned to the nose of the airplane and manned the three forward guns, fighting off repeated frontal attacks from enemy fighter airplanes. The exceptional courage and skill displayed by Lieutenant Kosakowski was directly responsible for the safe return of the airplane and its crew and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.