The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Douglas M. Birdsall (NSN: 0-114386), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. As pilot of a medium land-based bomber, on 5 May 1944, Lieutenant Birdsall, after bombing his assigned target at Kurahbu Zaki, Paramushiro, continued his flight until he sighted the airfield at Suribachi, Paramushiro through a break in the clouds, whereupon, in spite of searchlights and heavy anti-aircraft concentrations, he made a glide bombing attack and obtained valuable photographs of the installations of this field. After this attack one large fire and numerous small fires were noted among the buildings near the air strip. This was his eleventh night bombing mission against Japanese installations in the Northern Kuriles. Each mission involved a round-trip flight of fourteen hundred miles across the North Pacific in a medium land-plane bomber through severe sub-artic weather. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Douglas M. Birdsall (NSN: 0-114386), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Pacific from 12 April to 2 May 1944. Lieutenant Commander Birdsall 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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Douglas M. Birdsall (NSN: 0-114386), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. As Patrol Plane Commander of a Ventura medium bomber, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Birdsall, on 20 January 1944, voluntarily piloted his plane in the first night photo-reconnaissance bombing mission by Aleutian based land planes to the Northern Kurile Islands. With full knowledge of the hazards involved due to adverse weather, the limited range of the aircraft, and probable enemy opposition, he undertook this pioneer mission in order to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting offensive air operations against the Japanese home islands with the limited equipment available. His conduct, courage, devotion to duty, and superb piloting skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.