The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Randolph Austin (NSN: 0-104508), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the invasion of the Island of Sicily. From 10 July to 19 July 1943, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Austin, while attached to the U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA (CL-41), piloted a cruiser scouting plane on numerous spotting and reconnaissance missions and with great efficiency in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and air opposition. His spotting, performed under extremely hazardous conditions, contributed greatly to the success of the bombardment of enemy positions. His reconnaissance flights, many of which carried him deep into enemy territory, were of great value to our assaulting forces. The heroism, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Austin, under extremely hazardous conditions, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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 Lieutenant William Randolph Austin (NSN: 0-104508), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as Pilot of a U.S. Army Air Force reconnaissance plane during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August 1944. Lieutenant Austin qualified himself in the handling and operation of fighter type planes in order to conduct, against probable enemy aerial opposition, observations of the results of naval gunfire on shore targets and its adjustment by aerial spotting. From 15 to 29 August 1944, he carried out innumerable spotting and reconnaissance sorties and on each occasion throughout the critical assault phase furnished timely and accurate observations by which battleships, cruisers and destroyers of the bombardment group were able to deliver effective fire against enemy coastal defenses, concentrations and strong points. He executed all missions with fearless precision even though constantly subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire and the threat of enemy aerial attack. The expert airmanship, cool and courageous action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Austin were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.