The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William Cassell Bender (NSN: 0-105953), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 13 July 1945, as Patrol Plane Commander of a Liberator Search aircraft on patrol off the Malaya Coast, 100 miles from base, he contributed to the destruction of six enemy aircraft, seriously damaged three additional planes and destroyed an important enemy shipyard containing seven or eight hulls of vessels sorely needed for the enemy’s prosecution of the war. The manner in which the attacks were carried out, the skill and airmanship demonstrated and the courage and heroism displayed, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William Cassell Bender (NSN: 0-105953), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against a determined and skilled enemy. On 13 May 1945, while serving as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy Liberator search aircraft, he participated in a series of attacks at Pontianak, Borneo, which resulted in the destruction of one enemy plane, four enemy ships, part of a shipyard containing hulls of five vessels, and damaging of twelve other enemy vessels. The manner in which he demonstrated his high degree of professional skill, the courage hid displayed in his own work and the ability with which he directed the activities of his crew, all were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William Cassell Bender (NSN: 0-105953), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in a series of meritorious acts form 22 May 1945 to 5 June 1945. Lieutenant Bender 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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William Cassell Bender (NSN: 0-105953), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 2 August 1945, while conducting a patrol off the Malaya Coast in a Navy Liberator search aircraft, he, in a series of courageous low-altitude attacks over Kuantan, destroyed six enemy vessels and damaged another vessel and a motor vehicle. The manner in which these attacks were carried out 1,000 miles from base, the airmanship demonstrated and the results obtained were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.