The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Roland H. Baker, Jr. (NSN: 0-395651), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the Japanese home islands while serving as a pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane over Kagoshima Bay, Island of Kyushu, Japan, on 29 March 1945. With outstanding skill and determination while protecting the life of another pilot forced down in Kagoshima Bay, he participated in his divisions attack on a force of eight Japanese fighter planes. At least five of the enemy planes were shot down and those left were scattered before they reached the downed pilot. This action took place within close range of ten Japanese airfields on the island of Kyushu, one of which was the large Naval Air Base at Kanoya. During this action he shot down at least one enemy fighter plane. He encountered anti-aircraft fire from shore batteries around the bay during most of the two hours he was so damaged by anti-aircraft fire that he could not land aboard his carrier but had to make a crash water landing. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.