The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Paul Bacci (NSN: 0-390838), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber plane in a strike against enemy shipping at Ominato Naval Base, Northern Honshu, on 9 August 1945. During the action he attacked an enemy cruiser in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to the damage of the warship. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.