The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign John J. Berend (NSN: 0-337648), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Pacific from 28 December 1944 to 8 June 1945. Ensign Berend 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.