The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Earl R. Attebury (NSN: )-114983), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in a series of aerial flights as pilot of a carrier-based Fighter Plane in Composite Squadron EIGHT-FOUR (VC-84), embarked in U.S.S. MAKIN ISLAND (CVE-93), in attacks against enemy installations, positions, and surface units in support of amphibious operations by our own forces. He completed his sixteenth through twentieth flights against the enemy at Iwo Jima between 15 February and 9 March 1945. During these attacks, his courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.