(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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Joseph Gordon Russell (ASN: 0-19795), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving Command Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Russell, 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.