The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John F. Bauman (NSN: 0-130028), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier based fighter plane in operations against the enemy on 16 February 1945 in the Tokyo Bay Area. During an aerial battle, in which he and his team mates were definitely outnumbered by enemy planes, he shot down one single engine enemy fighter plane and probably destroyed two others. His courage and skill and his devotion to duty in the face of extreme odds were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.