Robert Lee Hand

First Lieutenant, U. S. Army Air Forces

Silver Star

Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 50 (March 17, 1943)
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert L. Hand (ASN: 0-726160), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Hand, 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.

Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 63 (April 6, 1943)
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Lee Hand (ASN: 0-726160), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), Fifth Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on 5 January 1943. In the face of extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire and determined opposition by enemy fighters, Second Lieutenant Hand participated in an effective daylight bombing attack against shipping in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain, which resulted in direct hits on nine enemy vessels. During this action his airplane was disabled and forced down by the attack of an overwhelming number of enemy fighters. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Hand, 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.