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 Major Walter A. Baran (MCSN: 0-9000), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Marshall Islands Area from 23 August 1944 to 4 October 1944. Major Baran completed his sixtieth 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.