The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert Q. Bekins, Jr. (MCSN: 0-2607), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 16 March to 21 May 1944. Captain Bekins completed twenty flights 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. (Gold Star in lieu of the Fourth Air Medal to be recalled and replaced by the Distinguished Flying Cross).