The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Elwood C. Mildarn, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a scout bomber pilot in action against Japanese forces during the raid upon, and occupation of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 7 August 1942. He sought out and destroyed assigned hostile anti-aircraft positions by vigorous bombing and strafing attacks which resulted in severe loss of life and equipment to the Japanese. By his effective aid in compelling the enemy to retire, he helped make it possible for our forces to occupy the area without opposition.