The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Elbert Stewart Heim, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Kyushu on 19 March 1945. He shot down two enemy planes in aerial combat which were approaching to attack our surface forces. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Elbert Stewart Heim, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 12 June 1943, as Pilot of a plane of Navy Composite Squadron NINE (VC-9), when an enemy submarine was sunk. When planes of Composting Squadron NINE depth charged and sank a German submarine in a coordinated attack, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heim, in a fighter plane, so accurately and aggressively strafed the enemy submarine that effective anti-aircraft fire was prevented and the submarine was destroyed and its crew captured without damage to the attacking planes. The skillful coordination of strafing with bombing by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heim contributed materially to the sinking of this submarine. The airmanship and aggressiveness displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Heim in this attack reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.