The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arthur Roger Conant (MCSN: 0-11470), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VMF-215), operating against enemy Japanese forces in the South Pacific Area from 5 January 1944 to 15 February 1944. Leading his division with skill and intrepidity during numerous escort missions over heavily-fortified Japanese strongholds, Captain Conant employed fiercely aggressive tactics in the face of devastating anti-aircraft fire and strong aerial opposition to assist his squadron leader in providing effective protection for our bombers. Personally engaging hostile aircraft on many occasions, he fought his plane boldly and with resolute daring, shooting down three enemy fighters and probably a fourth during this tour of duty. By his splendid initiative, superb airmanship and unfailing combat readiness, Captain Conant contributed essentially to the success of his squadron in inflicting serious losses upon the enemy in this vital theater of operations, and his conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


