The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert L. Carlson (NSN: 0-176735), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. Courageous and determined in the face of anti-aircraft fire which severely damaged his fighter plane during a three-plane glide-bombing attack on a Japanese aircraft carrier in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Carlson pressed home a bold run on his target. He contributed essentially to the success of the attack in which three hits were scored on an important Japanese vessel.