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) Duncan M. McDuffie (ASN: 0-439233), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane of the 78th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Germany, on 2 March 1945. Escorting a formation of B-17 Bombers of the EIGHTH Air Force to the target, Lieutenant McDuffie observed approximately thirty hostile aircraft and immediately led his element in a daring assault. Ignoring the tremendous numerical odds, he assisted in dispersing the formation and then proceeded to seek out and attack the scattered elements. Separated from his wingman after destroying two ME-109s, Lieutenant McDuffie unhesitatingly dived on and destroyed an enemy fighter endeavoring to escape at tree top level. Subjected to intense ground fire when a fleeing plane led him over an airdrome, he broke off the attack only after destroying the enemy fighter. Lieutenant McDuffie’s gallantry and exceptional bravery in the face of overwhelming odds served as an inspiration to his fellow pilots. The courage, flying skill, and unyielding fighting spirit displayed by First Lieutenant McDuffie are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces.