The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William W. Burns (MCSN: 0-25491), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in aerial attacks against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122), operating in the Western Carolines area during the period 1 October 1944 to 1 February 1945. First Lieutenant Burns flew numerous missions against strongly defended Japanese positions. On 17 October 1944, with complete disregard for his own safety and in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, he strafed and exploded, with his section leader, a large enemy ammunition dump. His consistently accurate dive bombing and strafing contributed materially to the damaging blows inflicted upon the enemy’s installations, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.