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 Seaman First Class Neil Bates, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 6 March 1945 to 15 May 1945. Seaman First Class Bates 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.


