The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] William L. Burgess, Jr. (NSN: 506161), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Fighter Squadron FIFTY-FOUR (VF-54), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Theater from 3 July to 30 September 1950. As pilot of a fighter plane he participated in thirty-five strike missions over enemy territory.