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 First Lieutenant James M. Burris (MCSN: 0-17177), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Area from 25 March 1944 to 2 April 1944. First Lieutenant Burris completed forty 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.