The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) John Marshall Thacker, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as a Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 46th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, SEVENTH Air Force, in action over the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, and waters adjacent thereto, on 7 December 1941. When surprised by a heavy air attack by Japanese forces on Wheeler Field and vicinity at approximately 8 a.m., Second Lieutenant Thacker proceeded by automobile to the hangar line where he joined a flight of pursuit aircraft which took off from Wheeler Field for the purpose of attacking the invading forces, without first obtaining information as to the number or type of Japanese in the attacking forces. The flight encountered an enemy formation of six aircraft in the vicinity of Bellows Field, and though the enemy force was numerically superior, Lieutenant Thacker and other members of the flight immediately attacked the enemy formation. He remained in the attack until after his guns became jammed. Lieutenant Thacker returned his plane safely to Wheeler Field though it had been hit by cannon fire during the encounter. Lieutenant Thacker’s initiative, presence of mind, coolness under fire against overwhelming odds in this first battle, expert maneuvering of his plane, and determined action contributed to a large extent toward driving off this sudden enemy air attack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Thacker, 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.