(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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Anthony Tirk, Jr. (ASN: 0-421143), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, on 11 March 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Tirk, leading a group of fighters over Italy, broke up a formation of more than 100 enemy fighters. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Tirk, 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.