Woodrow W. Magness

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 Woodrow W. Magness, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while flying as lead Shoran Operator on an aerial strike against the railroad marshalling yard at Sinmak, Korea on 28 May 1951. After completion of the bomb run, Colonel Magness discovered that a malfunction had occurred in the bomb release mechanism and a bomb, partially hung and armed, had failed to leave the aircraft. The cluster adapter on the front shackle had not released and the non-delay tail fuse had armed the bomb when the arming vane wound off the tail fuse in the slip stream. When the bomb doors were closed the fin of the bomb touched the doors and was subject to vibration. Realizing that the extreme sensitivity of the armed fuse and its position against the bomb bay doors presented imminent danger to the aircraft and its crew, Colonel Magness, with complete disregard for his own safety, removed his parachute and entered the bomb bay. While maintaining a precarious hand hold in the bomb bay, he removed the deadly fuse from the bomb and had the bomb bay doors opened so he could successfully dispose of the live fuse. By this action Colonel Magness undoubtedly saved the lives of his fellow crew members. The courage, aggressiveness and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Magness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.