The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William H. Bartles (NSN: 0-301293), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in a series of aerial flights as pilot of a carrier-based Torpedo Bomber in Composite Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR (VC-84), embarked in U.S.S. MAKIN ISLAND (CVE-93), in attacks against installations, positions, and surface units in support of amphibious operations by our own forces. He completed his sixteenth through twentieth flights against the enemy at Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto between 23 March and 29 April 1945. During these attacks, his courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.