The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Navy Award) to Major Paul S. Bechtel, United States Army, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy while serving as Commander of a flight of fighters based at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 December 1942. While acting as intermediate cover for a dive bomber strike at Munda, Major Bechtel’s command prevented the Japanese fighters from theirobtaining altitude advantage, accounting for four enemy aircraft, two of which he himself shot down. His leadership and determination materially aided the lower flight of fighters to shoot down ten Japanese fighters, and provide complete freedom for the dive-bombers to carry out their mission unmolested. The courage, skill, and conduct of Major Bechtel were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Military Service.