The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Port Cataingan, Masbate, on 24 November 1944. Major Dunham, leading a formation of seven fighters, attacked an enemy convoy consisting of three freighters and a large gun boat. Despite the anti-aircraft fire thrown up from the vessels below, this officer and two of his wing men attacked the largest freighter, a ten-thousand-ton ship, opening fire as they came within strafing range. Major Dunham scored two direct hits by skip-bombing, and each of his wing men effected one direct hit. He then led the whole formation in fierce strafing attacks on the convoy. When this officer, running low on gas and ammunition, finally gathered his formation together for the return to base, the ten-thousand ton freighter had been sunk, one five-thousand-ton vessel partially sunk on a reef, a second five-thousand-ton ship gutted by fire and run aground, the gun boat had been rendered unserviceable, and an estimated 4,500 enemy personnel destroyed. The gallantry and leadership displayed by Major Dunham in this attack are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.