The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Second Class Ralph L. Allen (NSN: 6603244), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of the aircrew of a U.S. Navy Patrol bombing aircraft of Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED THREE (VPB-103), engaged in anti-submarine operations in the Bay of Biscay and the Western Approaches to the United Kingdom during the period from 17 August 1943 to 25 June 1944, when enemy fighter aircraft patrols were usually expected to be encountered in the area. Twenty-four flights were completed in this active combat area as a crewman.