The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William C. B. Birkholm (NSN: 0-129722), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces in the vicinity of the Mariana Islands on 12, 15, 16, and 25 June 1944, as pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane. During a strike against shipping in an enemy harbor he made a low level bombing attack, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, against an enemy freighter, and by his skill and determination scored a direct hit on the ship, leaving it settling. In the course of other strikes against enemy bases, he assisted in shooting down an enemy dive bomber and inflicted substantial damage by strafing, including the probable disabling of two enemy tanks, the destruction of three enemy trucks and the damaging of two enemy planes on the ground. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.