The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant B. V. Burtch, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period from 18 July 1944 to 25 July 1944. Lieutenant Burtch 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.