The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Robert O. Burns, Jr. (NSN: 0-351646), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights. As a carrier-based Fighter Pilot he flew seven Combat Air Patrols protecting vessels of his Task Group during operations in waters adjacent to the Japanese homeland between 15 February 1945 and 1 March 1945. In a strike against an enemy airfield in the Nanpo Shoto on 23 February 1945, he courageously and skillfully pressed home his attack in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to deliver his bombs squarely upon the assigned target. In a strike against enemy shipping in the Nansei Shoto on 1 March 1945, when assigned to escort a damaged plane to base, he aggressively made a second and individual attack in spite of heavy and effective anti-aircraft fire in order to expend his remaining projectiles against the target. His courage, his devotion to duty, and his disregard for personal danger were inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.