The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Eugene Burckhalter (NSN: 0-125984), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in the line of his profession as a fighter pilot in Fighting Squadron SIXTEEN (VF-16), during operations of U.S. Naval forces against Japanese Naval Forces in the Japanese-held Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, on 4 December 1943. While escorting an air group in a successful strike against Japanese Naval forces, he, by his courageous and aggressive actions contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of that attack, to the certain destruction in the air of 19 enemy fighting planes and one twin-engine bomber, and to the probable destruction of an additional two enemy fighters. He destroyed by shooting down in flames two of the enemy fighting planes. He, by his courageous and aggressive actions, indicated a complete disregard for his own personal safety and, in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy, conspicuously distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy.