The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Frederick James C. Blair (NSN: 0-337335), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from a carrier base on 14 October 1944. An eight-plane combat air patrol, of which he was a member, intercepted and destroyed fourteen planes and dispersed the remainder of a large number of enemy planes which were preparing to attack our surface forces. He personally destroyed three enemy planes. Throughout the aerial engagement his courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.