The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Thomas R. Alkire (NSN: 0-122099), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 5 March 1945 to 14 August 1945. Lieutenant Alkire 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.