The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Lawrence R. Atkinson, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Western Pacific from 27 February 1945 to 2 June 1945. Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Atkinson 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.