The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Third Class Gordon F. Blakesley, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Extraordinary hazards were involved in all of the mentioned flights, many of which were flown through adverse weather and under instrument conditions by reason of their extreme range extending well over enemy held waters, harbors and territory where anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective, and in many cases was encountered, and where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred, and enemy fighter opposition was often met. Enemy anti-aircraft was definitely known to be in the vicinity of all harbors and town on both Borneo Coasts, the Celebes, Malay and Indo China Coasts. Enemy airdromes, in an operational condition were known to be at Makassar, Kuching, Singapore, Kuantan, Haiten and Doung Dong Island. In addition there were numerous enemy airstrips and landing grounds at the end of the sectors described herein, known to be used intermittently by the Japanese or as staging fields. It was known that Japanese patrol planes guarded the sector perimeters along the Malay and Indo China Coasts, and further that enemy convoys could be expected along the Malay and Indo China Coasts, which convoys were known to be provided with air cover. Flights referred to herein were over portions of the enemy waters or territory and either over or in close proximity to the enemy harbors, installations and airstrips mentioned above.