The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign John V. Boyle (NSN: 0-364098), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane assigned to strike against military installations on the Japanese home islands. On 18 March 1945 he made a dawn take off from his carrier to make a daring fighter sweep against an airfield on Kyushu which inflicted heavy damage. On 29 March 1945 he returned to strike at military installations at a naval base and major units of the Japanese Fleet on the Inland Sea. In spite of extremely heavy, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire he performed his assignment in an outstanding manner by accurately dropping a bomb and strafing ahead of the bombers he was escorting, drawing enemy anti-aircraft fire to himself and contributing materially to the devastating attack on a factory. His coolness, skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.