The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant Alba N. Blackerby (MCSN: 510298), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Solomon Islands Aire from 24 March 1944 to 7 April 1944. Sergeant Blackerby 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.