The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ralph E. Mouser, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Ball Turret Gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the Far East Air Force, engaged in an attack upon shipping in Rabaul Harbor, on 23 February 1942. During a 40-minute attack on his plane by five enemy fighters, Sergeant Mouser was wounded and the sighting mechanism of his turret put out of action. Disregarding his wound, and without use of the sighting mechanism, Sergeant Mouser continued to operate the lower turret. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Mouser, 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.