The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Clerance E. Aldrich (NSN: 5765365), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 18 February 1945 to 9 April 1945. Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Aldrich 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.