The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Walker H. Baskett, Jr. (NSN: 0-320806), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands as Pilot of a carrier-based Fighter Plane assigned to a photographic mission on 4 April 1945. In the course of his three hour photographic flight he repeatedly made photographic runs over an enemy airfield at very low altitudes, obtaining photographs in such detail that enemy installations were revealed that previously had not been detected. This enabled later strikes to attack this field much more effectively and to bring about much heavier damage to the enemy, depriving them the immediate use of the airfield. These photographic runs were made in the face of accurate and intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. His coolness and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.