The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Arthur E. Morse, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a B-24 Mitchell Bomber of the FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Action, on 20 July 1943. Staff Sergeant Morse’s bomber was part of a flight attacking the Trapani airdrome near Palmero when he was crippled by flank which passed through his hips and entered his abdomen. Despite his wounds he managed to crawl back to his bombsight and drop his bombs accurately on the target; and disregarding the pain, he then manned the nose gun and remained at his post until he collapsed. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Morse, 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.