The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant James B. Bender (MCSN: 0-33816), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy on Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto during the period 30 April to 6 May 1945. Second Lieutenant Bender participated in one strike and four combat air patrols, completing his twentieth mission against the enemy.