The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Michael A. Banazak (NSN: 6521614), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as combat aircrewman of a carrier-based Torpedo Plane in a glide bombing attack on the enemy main fleet in the vicinity of the Mariana Islands on 20 June 1944. When his plane was attacked repeatedly by determined fighter plane opposition he succeeded by his skillful and accurate gunfire in preventing the enemy fighter planes from pressing home effective attacks. He assisted in damaging several of them, enabling his pilot to press home his bombing attack through most intense anti-aircraft opposition, and to inflict severe damage on a large enemy aircraft carrier which eventually sank. His courage and skill above and beyond the call of duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.