The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Paul Keene Becker (MCSN: 0-32685), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Philippine Islands Area from 26 April 1945 to 13 May 1945. Second Lieutenant Becker completed his fortieth flight in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred 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.


