The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Gerard Bradford, Jr. (NSN: 0-95569), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 15 April 1943, as pilot of a plane of Patrol Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VP-83), when an enemy submarine was sunk. Lieutenant Bradford was on a patrol flight when he was directed to an enemy submarine. He went into action immediately upon sighting the submarine, and with an extraordinary demonstration of airmanship, courage, and determination, in the face of anti-aircraft fire, repeatedly maneuvered his plane into position and attacked the submarine with depth charges and machine gun fire. The depth charges were dropped in a perfect straddle by the stern; each strafing attack did further damage until she was abandoned and sank, stern first, leaving many survivors in the water. The outstanding airmanship, courage, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Bradford in the action described, reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.