The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Joel Edward Bacon (NSN: 354680), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane assigned to operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 5 November 1944. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire he engaged in repeated strafing and rocket firing attacks upon a group of large enemy transports, scoring four rocket hits and damaging a transport to the extent that it was unable to proceed with its convoy. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.