The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Paul E. Gourdon, Jr. (ASN: 0-1179080), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as an Air Observer from the 793d Field Artillery Battalion, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 11 July 1944. First Lieutenant Gourdon was unable to observe the location of an enemy battery due poor visibility, and flew dangerously close to the enemy lines in order to accomplish his mission. His plane was hit by an 88-mm. shell, which destroyed the plane and killed him. The last sending received from First Lieutenant Gourdon was “Range correct. Fire for effect.” First Lieutenant Gourdon’s aggressiveness and determination to silence the enemy batter reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Service.