The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] Elmer E. Ambrose (ASN: 0-398496), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while participating in aerial flight as a member of the 458th Bombardment Squadron, 330th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), TWENTIETH Air Force, on 8 August 1945. Colonel Ambrose, flying as Air Group Commander, led his group of four squadrons of B-29 aircraft from a base in the Marianas against the high priority target, the Musashino-Nakajima aircraft engine plant in the heavily-defended West Tokyo area. Leading his group through adverse weather conditions from take-off to the assembly area, Colonel Ambrose successfully assembled them at the briefed time. Intense, accurate, and heavy flak which increased in severity at the target, was encountered throughout the flight over the Japanese mainland. Every plane in the lead formation was hit by heavy flak on the bomb run, but Colonel Ambrose held the tight formations on course. A direct flak hit damaged his number four engine, set it on fire, and punctured the gasoline tanks one minute before bombs away. Despite this hazard, the bombs of his aircraft were dropped directly on the target, seventy-six percent of them fell within 1,000 feet of the aiming point, spreading destruction. Immediately after bombs away, his bomber sustained another direct flak hit which knocked out the number three engine. Displaying exceptional skill and airmanship, Colonel Ambrose feathered the number three engine and un-feathered number four, and successfully held the formation together until beyond the enemy’s defenses, without loss of an aircraft. Trough his courageous leadership, devotion to duty, and superior airmanship, Colonel Ambrose reflected great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.