The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant James H. Burns (NSN: 0-300912), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 25 April 1944 to 29 May 1944. Lieutenant Burns 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.