The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jack Delofs Baird (NSN: 0-278224), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy, during the assault and invasion of the Philippines as a member of Composite Squadron EIGHTY (VC-80), aboard the U.S.S. MANILA BAY (CVE-61). On 25 October 1944, as pilot of a carrier-based torpedo plane, he participated in a bombing attack upon heavy units of the Japanese fleet in the Mindanao Sea. He made two consecutive attacks upon a heavy cruiser and a third attack upon a screening destroyer. In spite of the fact that the rest of the flight had retired, he pressed home his second attack in the face of increased anti-aircraft fire and scored a damaging near miss. In company with his section leader, he then continued on in search of the remnants of the retiring Japanese force and scored another damaging near miss on a screening destroyer. His devotion to duty, and courage, were inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.