The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Gene Battista (NSN: 0-351540), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Western Pacific from 5 January to 2 June 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Battista completed twenty anti-shipping and patrol 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.