The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant John A. Rauzon, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Boram and Wewak, New Guinea, on 16 October 1943. Sergeant Rauzon was turret gunner of a B-25 in a minimum-altitude attack on the airdromes at these Japanese bases. Before, during, and after the target run, Sergeant Rauzon manned his guns, fighting off repeating attacks by large numbers of fighters during a 10-minute running battle. One plane was probably destroyed by his fire. His skill and courage were to a large degree responsible for the successful completion of the mission and the return of his airplane. During the period from 26 June 1943 to 25 February 1944, Sergeant Rauzon participated in sustained operational flights missions in the Southwest Pacific area during which hostile contact was probable and expected including attacks on enemy shipping installations at Lae, Salamaua, Madang, Alexishafen, Hansa Bay, Uligan Harbor, and Cape Gloucester.