The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William C. Bickel (MCSN: 0-11218), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Marshall Islands Area from 28 May to 2 June 1944. Captain Bickel completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.