The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John Francis Bates (NSN: 0-250963), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 11 April 1944 to 24 April 1944. Lieutenant Bates completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.