The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William L. Linkous (ASN: 0-678728), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Navigator on a B-17 Bomber of the FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action on a mission to bomb railroad yards in Italy during World War II. Before reaching the target the formation was intercepted by 20 enemy fighters and was subjected to an accurate and intense barrage of antiaircraft fire. Lieutenant Linkous was seriously wounded when shell fragments pierced his left arm but despite severe pain, he continued to fire at the attacking fighters. Fearing that morphine might dull his mind, this officer refused medical attention and proceeded to assist the bombardier, so that accurate bombardment of the target could be achieved. When his aircraft was forced to leave the formation to make an emergency landing at the nearest Allied air base in order to provide immediate medical attention for a critically wounded gunner, Lieutenant Linkous assumed the navigational duties again and directed the plane over the shortest route to a friendly airfield. His steadfast devotion to duty and personal resourcefulness in completely disregarding the excruciating pain from his wounds in order to perform his job contributed directly to the success of the mission. By his skillful navigation on 39 missions against the enemy Lieutenant Linkous has upheld the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.