(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 Staff Sergeant Thomas P. Lovett (ASN: 31371531), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Ball Turret Gunner of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 15th Air Force, in aerial operations during a bombing mission over Ploesti, Romania, on 8 July 1944. After his bomber dropped its load and was returning to base, German ME-109s attacked, heavily damaging his bomber. The gas tanks were pierced, the aileron control was knocked out, there was no rudder, and the fuselage and left wing and tail assembly were hit and damaged. The order to bail out was give and the crew began abandoning their aircraft. Despite the bail out order, Staff Sergeant Lovett stayed at his gun during the attack to allow his comrades to leave the bomber, firing his guns until cannon strikes caused the bomber to fall and crash into the ground. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Lovett, 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.