The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Hartsel Dale Allen (NSN: 0-83253), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 7 May 1945 to 18 July 1945 as a member of Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN (VPB-119). Lieutenant Commander Allen 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.