The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Second Class George Joseph Banas (NSN: 8518152), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 7 April 1945, as gunner and radioman of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber assigned to attack a Japanese Task Force, steaming in the East China Sea, off the Japan mainland island of Kyushu. In spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft as well as main battery gun fire from enemy warships, he performed his duties skillfully during the attack, and materially assisted his pilot and division leader in scoring a direct torpedo hit on a Japanese heavy battleship, which was subsequently seen to sink. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.