The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ralph Elwood Akins (NSN: 0-351538), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 14 March 1945 to 5 August 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Akins 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.