The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant George F. Bauman (MCSN: 0-23869), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy as a fighter division leader attached to Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122), operating in the Western Carolines area during the period 9 November 1944 to 1 March 1945. First Lieutenant Bauman led his division through numerous hazardous missions against strongly defended Japanese positions and consistently displayed excellent judgment and a high degree of courage. On 9 December 1944, with complete disregard for his own safety and in the face of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, he destroyed two large enemy warehouses. His consistently accurate dive bombing and strafing contributed materially to the reduction of enemy installations, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.