The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William E. Bernhardt (MCSN: 0-48549), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy while serving with a Marine Observation Squadron from 30 June to 3 October 1952. Serving as a pilot of a slow, unarmed aircraft, Captain Bernhardt displayed outstanding ability and professional skill while completing 83 flights, totaling 158 hours, over enemy territory, at dangerously low altitudes. On one occasion, he disregarded his personal safety and continued to fly in an area of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire in an effort to enable his observer to direct and control an air strike. As a result of his actions heavy enemy casualties, both dead and wounded, were inflicted by the air strike, materially reducing their fighting efficiency. Captain Bernhardt’s alertness, efficient actions and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.