The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant James Arthur Blumenstock (NSN: 0-145529), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Plane Commander in the successful rescue of a survivor one mile off an enemy island in the northern Ryukyus on 17 June 1945. Despite heavy and accurate fire from shore batteries which had just prevented another plane from attempting the rescue, he unhesitatingly executed a skillful open sea landing and take off and returned the survivor safely to base. His skill and courage were inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.