(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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Charles Rau, Jr. (ASN: 0-809420), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Navigator of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, on 29 January 1944. While returning from a bombing mission over Frankfurt, Germany, Lieutenant Rau was wounded a few miles from the target when shell fragments tore through his abdomen and legs, knocked out his navigation instruments, and the oxygen system. Despite his painful wounds, he continued giving proper direction as to the pilot, enabling him to return his aircraft to England before Lieutenant Rau died of his wounds. His courageous actions resulted in the saving of nine lives aboard his bomber. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Rau, 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.