The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert S. Combs (ASN: 0-537303), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy in aerial flight on 14 May 1945, while serving with the 43d Bombardment Squadron, 314th Bombardment Wing, TWENTIETH Air Force. Lieutenant Combs was an Airplane Commander of a B-29 Superfortress flying from a base in the Mariana Islands against the key city of Nagoya, Japan. On the bombing run, enemy anti-aircraft fire was intense and deadly accurate. Numerous fighters made repeated savage attacks in an attempt to disrupt the well-knit formation of bombers. Despite damage to his B-29 Lieutenant Combs remained in the formation to make a successful bombing run. The target was demolished. After bombs away, as the formation fought its way out of the formidable enemy defenses, one of the aircraft in Lieutenant Combs’ formation lost an engine to enemy action, put in a distress call and dropped behind the formation. Despite the serious damage already inflicted, Lieutenant Combs left the comparative safety of the formation. As enemy fighters were closing in on the crippled bomber, he skillfully maneuvered into a defensive position on the crippled Superfort’s wing. In a savage aerial battle, the two B-29’s gallantry fought their way to safety beyond enemy defenses. The crippled plane lost another engine. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions demanding the most skillful instrument flying, Lieutenant Combs, with unusual flying skill, flew formation with the slow moving ship until a safe landing was accomplished at Iwo Jima. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Combs, 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.