The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Erich Edwin Schleier, Jr. (ASN: 0-425266), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Heavy Bomber and as Operations Officer of the 436th Bombardment Squadron, of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, in 1944. Captain Schleier was a member of an air crew that successfully flew a B-24 Bomber across Burma to bomb the strategic Burma-Siam railway in Burma. Flying at a critically low altitude over water and mountain terrain, opposed by intense enemy ground fire from flak cars and other gun positions, he exhibited exceptional and conspicuous gallantry in leading his flight through these obstacles to inflict great damage on a strongly defended target. The very successful results of this mission contributed materially to the defense of India by Allied Military forces. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Schleier, 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.