The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Minter Young Aldridge (NSN: 0-278062), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 24 January 1945, as Commander of a Catalina aircraft on a routine ferry flight and anti-submarine warfare search, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Aldridge sighted a life raft five hundred miles from land. Despite extremely hazardous water conditions and a heavily loaded plane, he landed his aircraft and successfully rescued four Army fliers who had been afloat for seventeen days. His actions on this occasion showed outstanding courage and professional skill and were in accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.