The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Michael R. Mulligan (MCSN: 0-25567), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a plane and Section Leader in Marin Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (VMF-217) during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 28 January to 15 March 1944. Undeterred by intense antiaircraft fire and fighter plane opposition, First Lieutenant Mulligan led his section on numerous escort missions, combat air patrols, fighter sweeps, and strafing attacks against Japanese airfields, shipping, and shore installations and probably destroyed an enemy fighter plane at Rabaul, New Britain, on 14 February 1944. While the airstrip at Bougainville was under heavy and accurate hostile artillery fire, he rendered valiant service in the air evacuation of the squadron’s planes to another airfield. By his courage and skillful airmanship, first Lieutenant Mulligan contributed materially to the neutralization of the enemy’s air power in the area, and his sound judgment and steadfast devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.