The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Black (NSN: 0-278722), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the morning of 18 March 1944. As a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane Pilot, while participating in a fighter sweep over Kagoshima airfield on southern Kyushu Island, Japan, he shot down two enemy fighter planes both of which were seen to burn and crash into the ground. On this same flight he strafed a railroad locomotive causing it to explode. His skill, courage and relentless pursuit of the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.