The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Second Class Robert Melvin Blackburn (NSN: 892655?), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Pacific during the period from 16 April 1945 to 3 July 1945. Aviation Radioman Second Class Blackburn 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.