The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign William N. Blakely, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in military operations against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-FIVE (VF-25), embarked in U.S.S. CHENANGO (CVE-28), in the Nansei Shoto during the period 1 April 1945 to 12 May 1945. Ensign Blakely 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.