The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William Frederick Bland (MCSN: 0-27908), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Ryukyu Islands during the period 17 June to 1 July 1945. First Lieutenant Bland 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.