The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Bell (MCSN: 0-5244), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Area from 25 December 1942 to 19 February 1943. Lieutenant Colonel Bell completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.