The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Seaman First Class Lerey Ellsworth Austin (NSN: 5657726), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in a series of aerial flights in the Pacific Area from 26 March to 28 August 1945. Seaman First Class Austin completed twenty 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.