The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Wilmot E. Bowen, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 1 February 1942 to 21 February 1942. Lieutenant Bowen 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.