The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Laurence W. Bell (NSN: 0-315547), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy as pilot of a fighter plane during World War II. Despite determined resistance form numerically superior enemy planes, he destroyed one enemy airborne aircraft and, assisted by his wingman destroyed a second. He also destroyed one plane and damaged two more on the ground. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.