The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Robert S. Burkhardt, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 4 March 1944 to 16 April 1944. Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Burkhardt completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.