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 Joseph B. Rapoza, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Tail Gunner of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the action against the enemy while serving with , 723d Bombardment Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action over Austria on 24 May 1944. In a successful mission against an important enemy airdrome in Austria, the bomber encountered heavy enemy opposition from both anti-aircraft fire and attacks by 30 to 40 enemy fighters. The hydraulic system was shot out, turrets and flaps were so badly damaged as to make them inoperative and there were holes shot in three propellers, in the wings and in the fuselage. During the aerial battle, Staff Sergeant and the other two aerial gunners remained at their posts despite being seriously wounded. A four gunner was killed while manning his gun. On leaving the target area the navigator crawled down on the catwalk and cranked up the bomb-bay doors. He and the bombardier administered first aid to the wounded. The bomber kept in formation after the controls had been jammed, and it was landed safely despite the fact that the pilot or do-pilot could not use flaps or brakes. Three other members of the crew have failed to return from later missions and are reported as prisoners of war. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Rapoza, 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.