The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Cleveland M. Akey (MCSN: 386503), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Bismarck Archipelago-Solomon Islands Area from 24 March 1944 to 6 April 1944. Staff Sergeant Akey 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.