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) Philip Paul Reece, Jr. (ASN: 0-789813), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in action at Milne Bay, New Guinea, on 26 August 1942. Second Lieutenant Reece was Navigator of a B-17E type aircraft which was part of a formation of eight planes that attacked a Japanese convoy in Milne Bay. Adverse weather conditions forced it to approach the target from an altitude of 2,000 feet. Despite a heavy anti-aircraft barrage which was sent up by five enemy warships, Second Lieutenant Reece continued on the bombing run until his plane received a direct hit and burst into flames, causing it to crash into the bay. Such courage and devotion to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the United States Army Air Corps.