Frederick A. Tod

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Frederick A. Tod (0-776133), First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving with the 713th Bombardment Squadron, 448th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, on 25 March 1945, while flying as pilot of a B-24 bomber on a mission over Germany. When his aircraft sustained severe damage from intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, forcing him to withdraw from formation, Lieutenant Tod set his course for allied territory. Ordering his crew to bail out over a heavily populated area, Lieutenant Tod, with complete knowledge of the consequences, then headed his plane back to sea where he was unable to bail out due to the low altitude at which he was flying. His self sacrifice and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.