The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Air Corps) Robert L. Faurot (ASN: 0-399603), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Lae airdrome, New Guinea, on 25 November 1942. Captain Faurot led a flight of P-38 type aircraft on a bombing mission against the strongly defended airdrome at Lae. As the formation approached the target, several enemy Zero fighters took off to meet the attack. Captain Faurot released two 500-pound bombs over the airdrome, from an altitude of 4,000 feet, so that they fell beyond the south end of the runway in the ocean. Fragments from the exploding bombs hit an enemy plane which had just taken off and was only a few feet above the water. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Faurot, 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.