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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Rear Admiral (Retired) Luis DeFlorez, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in numerous aircraft flights throughout his naval career. Responsible for the original conception, design and flight-testing of aircraft instrumentation which included the first bubble sextant and the first complete audio flight reference, Rear Admiral DeFlorez made many major contributions to the development of cockpit instrumentation and controls, air speed indicators and night lighting. In the forefront of naval aviation as inventor, designer and pilot, he was recognized for his imagination and inventive skill in this field by the Scientific American Prize for Aircraft Improvement in 1934, and the Collier Trophy in 1943.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Captain]

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 346 (January 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Luis DeFlorez, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. By the exercise of extraordinary genius, resourcefulness and professional skill, Admiral DeFlorez was in large measure responsible for the creation and development of the unique art of synthetic training perfected during World War II to provide special devices and methods for the safe and rapid training of pilots and aircrewmen. From the inception of an idea through the complicated phases of invention, research and construction to the final aspects of production, distribution and maintenance, he rendered distinguished service toward realizing the highest potential in training methods, not only for naval aviation but for submarine officers and fire control parties engaged in combat patrol.