The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert D. Bachtel (MCSN: 0-10563), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Area from 14 July 1943 to 25 July 1943. Captain Bachtel 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.