The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jene M. Bixler (NSN: 0-315085), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in Composite Squadron NINETY-EIGHT (VC-98), embarked in U.S.S. TULAGI (CVE-72), in operations against the enemy in the Ryukyu Islands on 24 May 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bixler 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.