The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Winton E. Balzer (MCSN: 0-30822), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Japanese held territory in the Palau Islands, and over Yap and Gagil-Tomil Islands. From 26 September 1944 to 6 February 1945, Second Lieutenant Balzer distinguished himself individually and with the division in which he flew, by means of daring bombing and strafing attacks upon enemy surface craft, air strip and other heavily fortified and well defended land installations. His accuracy in bombing and his extreme aggressiveness in low level strafing attacks, resulted in extreme damage to the enemy. On many strikes he executed his assignments through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and on seven occasions suffered severe damage to his plane. In fifty-six strikes Second Lieutenant Balzer piloted his fighter aircraft deep over enemy lines for a total of seventy-four hours. Cool courage and disregard for his own personal safety were outstanding characteristics throughout this campaign. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.