The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Aviation Radioman Russell Leroy Burkhart, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific area from 11 September 1944 to 16 September 1944. Chief Aviation Radioman Burkhart 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.