The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William R. Bennewitz (MCSN: 0-29424), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the South China Sea area from 19 February to 28 February 1945. First Lieutenant Bennewitz 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.