The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Louis Hallowell Bauer (NSN: 0-74997), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Squadron Commander of Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6) during the period from 20 January 1943 to 20 March 1943. Commander Bauer personally led numerous fighter escort missions and strafing attacks on Munda, New Georgia and Vila, Kolombangara, in the Solomon Islands when based on Guadalcanal. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, his attacks were invariably pressed home to point-blank range, resulting in severe enemy personnel casualties. In early February 1943, he shot down one Japanese search aircraft in the vicinity of the U.S.S. SARATOGA, while ship-based, thus preventing the enemy from gaining knowledge of the presence of our carrier task force. His skillful airmanship and courageous leadership were a source of inspiration to his squadron and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.