The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Emmett O’Donnell, Jr. (ASN: 0-17299/A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Command Pilot of a B-29 Very Heavy Bomber of the XXI Bomber Command, TWENTIETH Air Force, in aerial operations on 24 November 1944. General O’Donnell led the first maximum effort mission of B-29’s from the Marianas to strike the heart of the Japanese Empire: Tokyo. His courageous leadership and calculated preparation made possible this historical flight over 3,000 miles of ocean, to bomb primary targets in spire of adverse weather conditions, Flak and fighter opposition, and to lead home 109 aircraft of 111 participating. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General O’Donnell, 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.