The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Henry Balden, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based torpedo bomber on the night of 12 – 13 May 1945. Alone, without escort or fighter cover, he remained over a strongly defended airfield on the Japanese mainland for more than two hours, making repeated attacks which inflicted substantial damage on enemy installations. His skill and courage were an inspiration and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Henry Balden, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 20 June 1944 to 5 July 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Balden completed his fortieth flight 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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Henry Balden, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 30 March 1944 to 21 April 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Balden 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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Henry Balden, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based torpedo bomber on the night of 13 – 14 May 1945. After long, over-water navigation on a moonless night, he repeatedly attacked a strongly defended base on the Japanese mainland causing substantial damage to enemy installations. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.