The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Private First Class Virgil A. Almeida (MCSN: 805511), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Philippine Islands Area from 5 April 1945 to 22 April 1945. Private First Class Almeida completed ten missions which were flown in an active combat area where enemy antiaircraft fire or enemy airborne opposition was expected, and on one or more of these missions such enemy opposition was encountered. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.