The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Gale C. Burkey (NSN: 0-146625), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as Pilot of a Patrol Seaplane. On 24 August 1942, while on patrol in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands, his airplane was under attack for about one hour by four carrier-based enemy Zero fighters. His courage, cool thinking, and superb handling of his plane enabled it to escape with only superficial damage and without wound or injury to the crew or himself; whereas, at least one of the attacking planes was certainly damaged, and probably others. On 27 August 1942, while on night anti-submarine patrol, his vigilance detected an enemy submarine. He immediately attacked with depth bombs which, exploding close to the bow, undoubtedly damaged the submarine and may have sunk it. On both the foregoing occasions, his flying skill, courage, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.