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) Jerome G. Schweickert (ASN: 0-1703085), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Aircraft of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force. On 13 April 1944, Lieutenant Schweickert led his squadron as escort to heavy bombers over Austria. Approaching the target, his formation was attacked by approximately forty (40) enemy fighters, persistently attempting to penetrate the fighter cover to attack and break up the bomber formation. Despite the superiority in numbers of enemy aircraft, displaying outstanding leadership, courage, aggressiveness and combat skill, Lieutenant Schweickert so effectively disposed his formation that all attacks were successfully repulsed, thus enabling the bomber formation to complete a highly successful mission unmolested. Throughout the aerial battle, though fighting against overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Schweickert successfully destroyed two (2) enemy aircraft. By his conspicuous courage, outstanding leadership and intense devotion to duty, as evidenced throughout over sixty-two (62) successful missions against the enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Schweickert, 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.