The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Emmit W. Blackburn (NSN: 0-351877), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a carrier-based Fighter Plane in the first air attacks made against the Japanese homeland by naval aircraft. On 17 February 1945, he fought his way through opposing enemy aircraft to attack successfully a large enemy airbase scoring a direct bomb hit on an important installation, and in repeated strafing attacks he seriously damaged numerous grounded aircraft. His skillful flying enabled him to shoot down in flames an enemy fighter attacking our aircraft. His courage and daring in carrying out these damaging attacks against persistent enemy opposition were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.