(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ernest Gilbert Swart (ASN: 0-758494), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the FOURTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, on 18 January 1945. After his bomber was severely damaged during a bombing mission, First Lieutenant Swart remained at the control to keep his aircraft stable for his crew to bail out to safety. By the time all crew members had exited the aircraft, he was killed when he bailed out at only 250 feet of altitude. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Swart, 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.