The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Frederick Perrin Appleton (NSN: 0-156464), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on a rescue mission in enemy waters on 26 July 1944. When he saw two downed airmen on a life raft near a reef, and within two miles of an enemy island, he courageously and skillfully landed his seaplane nearby in the face of enemy fire, assisted them into the rear cockpit, took off, and returned them to safety. The courage and skill of this feat are all the more emphasized by the fact that the take-off with extra load had to be made down wind in light breezes and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.