The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Joseph Marcel Burkhart, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the combat area of the Western Pacific from 23 June 1945 to 23 July 1945. Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Burkhart completed his twentieth anti-shipping and patrol flight. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.