The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Vlade Donald Bursik, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy. On 23 April 1945, he carried out his twentieth mission, a strike on one of the islands in the Nansei Shoto. In the process of the execution of the twenty missions, he attacked Japanese installations, shipping, aircraft, and ground forces. These attacks took place over Kyushu, Honshu and the Nansei Shoto. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.