The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Benjamin Clark Amsden (NSN: 0-351640), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane assigned to operations in the Philippine Sea area on 15 October 1944. During a single flight he destroyed two enemy torpedo planes while defending the task force against enemy torpedo attacks, thus preventing what might have been serious damage to units of our ships. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.