The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Bernard L. Alexander, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of the aircrew of a U.S. Navy Patrol Bombing Aircraft engaged in anti-submarine operations in the Bay of Biscay and the Western Approaches to the United Kingdom during the period from 25 July 1943 to 15 December 1943, when enemy fighter aircraft patrols were usually expected to be encountered in this area. Twenty-three flights were completed in this active combat area as an aircrewman.