The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Arthur J. Baranowski (NSN: 0-129960), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during operations against the enemy Japanese forces in the Nansei Shoto Area, from 2 May through 14 June 1945. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Lieutenant Baranowski contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Arthur J. Baranowski (NSN: 0-129960), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during operations against the enemy Japanese forces in the Nansei Shoto Area, from 1 April through 27 April 1945. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Lieutenant Baranowski contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Arthur J. Baranowski (NSN: 0-129960), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while attacked to Fighting Squadron FORTY (VF-40) during three tours of combat duty in the Solomon Islands-New Britain area; the first from 13 September to 20 September 1943 based at Guadalcanal Island, the second from 17 October to 12 November 1943 at Segi Point, New Georgia Island, and the third from 11 December 1943 to 24 January 1944 at Barakoma, Vella Lavella Island. Incident to the small ratio of pilots to airplanes in the Navy squadrons, it was necessary that all pilots in VF-40 fly combat missions every other day. When pilot losses reduced this ratio even more, it became necessary for some pilots to fly three days out of four. During a six weeks tour in the combat zone such a routine places great physical and nervous stress on the pilots concerned. It is felt that Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Baranowski is worthy of high commendation for his reaction and behavior under conditions which taxed his physical endurance and nervous stability beyond the call of average combat operations. During his tours of duty in the combat area the subject officer has participated as a fighter pilot on combat missions in the following campaigns against the enemy: Escort for Dauntless, Avenger, and Liberator bombers engaged in the destruction of enemy airfields on Ballale Island and at Kahili and Kara on Southern Bougainville Island; Combat air patrol and task force cover during the landing on Treasury Island; Combat air patrol and task force cover during the landing and consolidation of positions at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville Island; combat air patrol over the carrier task forces during their attack on enemy shipping in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain; Escort for Dauntless, Avenger and Liberator bombers engaged in the destruction of enemy airfields on Buka Island and at Bonis on Northern Bougainville Islands; fighter sweeps over Rabaul, New Britain, to destroy the enemy’s air power by aggressive offensive action, escort for Dauntless, Avenger, Mitchell and Liberator bombers to destroy shipping and the airfields at the enemy stronghold at Rabaul, New Britain. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Baranowski has flown 41 official combat missions against the enemy of which 22 were opposed by enemy aircraft or heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire or both. Thirteen missions were flown to the strongly defended enemy base at Rabaul, New Britain. The subject officer is officially credited with having destroyed one enemy aircraft and shared credit with another pilot of his squadron for destroying two enemy aircraft. He is officially credited with the probable destruction of two enemy aircraft. On 22 October 1943, while escorting Liberator bombers to strike Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island he shared with Lieutenant A.F. Brittain of VF-40 the credit for destroying a Zeke. On 4 January 1944 while on a fighter sweep over Rabaul, New Britain he is credited with the probable destruction of a Zeke. On 14 January 1944 while escorting Mitchell bombers to strike Tobera Airfield, New Britain, he shared with Ensign S. M. Trueman of VF-40 credit for the destruction of a Zeke. In all of the missions in which he participated during his tours of duty in the combat area the subject officer has consistently displayed a high degree of courage, skill and aggressive determination in the face of intense enemy opposition.