(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ernest L. Reid (ASN: 0-416349), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Reid, 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ernest L. Reid (ASN: 0-416349), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the Far East Air Force, in aerial operations over Rabaul, New Britain, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 23 February 1942. Lieutenant Reid was Co-pilot of a Flying Fortress in a formation of the first American bombing mission from Australia to the enemy-held base at Rabaul. The night flight was through heavy cumulus clouds and thunderheads, making formation flying extremely difficult and hazardous. Lieutenant Reid’s plane reached the target area and carried out the bombing attack at dawn as scheduled. En route to the home base, the formation was intercepted and had to fight off heavy attacks by five Japanese Zero planes, although throttled back to the minimum to preserve the limited fuel supply. Lieutenant Reid in carrying out this pioneer mission in the face of heavy odds is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.