The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Sam H. Wilson (ASN: 6582979), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations over Rabaul Harbor, New Britain, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 20 November 1942. On that date First Lieutenant Zeamer flew down over Rabaul for a look at the harbor when a flight of Zeroes was seen taking off from a nearby airdrome. Maneuvering the bomber into the clouds, they avoided contact and eluded 15 to 40 enemy Zeroes. Returning a long the coastline, they sighted a fresh flight of Zeros flushed from Buna. In the battle that followed he shot down two of the enemy Zeros in flames. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Master Sergeant Wilson, 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.