(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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) Walter Steves (ASN: 0-373041), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as pilot of a B-24 Liberator Heave Bomber of the FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Austria on April 1, 1945. Captain Steves’ bomber was shot down on March 26, 1945 and, after bailing out of their aircraft, he and his crew were captured and held as prisoners of war. On 1 April 1945, Captain Steves and four members of his crew escaped from their cells and moved to a nearby German airfield, where the entered a German JU-88 transport/bomber, flying it to safety in Yugoslavia. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Steves, 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.