The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Benton F. Love, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while serving as a navigator of a Combat Bombardment Wing and Bombardment Squadron composed of B-17 type aircraft on bombing missions over Germany on 30 October 1944 and 14 and 28 February 1945. On these operations he demonstrated exceptional proficiency and a meticulous attention to detail, accomplishing the assigned missions as briefed, aiding in the success attained by the formation in which he flew. On 19 February 1945, although a heavy overcast prevailed in the target area, he effected a visual assist on the bomb run, enabling bombs to be released with accuracy. The courage, coolness and devotion to duty displayed by this officer on these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.