The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 24 September 1944 to 18 October 1944. Commander Blitch completed his fortieth flight 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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for heroic conduct in action. As Division Leader of a bombing squadron, he led his division in repeated attacks upon enemy objectives during the Marshall Islands attack, 1 February 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire his division made several successful dive bombing and strafing attacks against enemy ships and shore installations. He scored direct hits on a cargo vessel, an oil storage tank, an enemy heavy bombing plane on the ground, and silenced an anti-aircraft gun. His leadership and resourcefulness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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 Commander John Devereux Blitch (NSN: 0-77143), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 15 July 1944 to 19 July 1944. Commander Blitch 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.