The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jack Mitchell Abell, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Naval Aviator, Fighting Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VF-23), during operations of U.S. Naval Forces against Rabaul, New Britain, 1 to 19 November 1943. As high cover, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Abell aided materially in conducting the torpedo bombers safely to the target, skillfully employing defensive tactics, with the result that enemy fighters encountered during the approach did not press home attacks. Without regard for his own safety, he covered the bombers up to the final break-off point, despite the withering anti-aircraft fire confronting him. On the retirement he came to the rescue of nineteen dive bombers being attacked by ten enemy fighters. Quickly assuming position, he and his division skillfully repelled the four separate runs made by the enemy fighters, and brought the bombers safely back to base.