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 Captain (Air Corps) David Lee Wilhite (ASN: 0-405475), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 566th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe, on 9 October 1943. When the group leader was forced to turn back, prior to reaching the objective, Lieutenant Wilhite pulled his plane up into the lead position. Though forced to leave the formation momentarily just before the bombing run, Lieutenant Wilhite continued on over the target and after the bombs had been released re-joined the formation and again assumed the leadership of his Group. He accomplished this in spite of two engines of his aircraft being disabled. When the bomb-bay doors would not close, due to failure of the hydraulic system, Lieutenant Wilhite, supported by another member of the crew, reached down into the open bomb-bay, closed the doors and then wired them together. The gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Wilhite on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.