The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign William F. Burke (NSN: 0-529254), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of Fighter Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE (VF-783) attached to Carrier Air Group 102 and serving aboard the U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31). On 27 September 1951, Ensign Burke, as a member of a flight assigned to attack enemy rail bridges in the vicinity of Puckchang in hostile enemy-held Communist North Korean territory, inflicted heavy and serious damage upon enemy rail installations. In attacks on three bridges in this area, Ensign Burke, with deadly bombing accuracy and in the face of concentrated enemy anti-aircraft fire, succeeded in destroying two spans and tearing up the approaches of one bridge by dropping three bombs directly on the target, and scoring three direct hits on two other bridges and seriously damaging the bridges and approaches. In further attacks against supply installations, Ensign Burke scored a direct bomb hit on an enemy warehouse and caused numerous fires to other supply buildings. Ensign Burke’s plane sustained hits from enemy fire in these attacks. He deprived the enemy for the further use of sorely-needed rail installations and supply facilities. His devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.