The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Vernon Louis Anderson, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in combat areas of the Western Pacific from 2 April 1945 to 24 June 1945. Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Anderson completed twenty anti-shipping and patrol 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.