The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William P. Blackwell (NSN: 0-124316), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 13 November 1944 to 16 December 1944 and from 1 March 1945 to 4 March 1945. Lieutenant Blackwell 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.