The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman First Class Willard J. Gilstrap, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat as radioman-gunner of a torpedo plane in action against Japanese forces in the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. While subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, and in the face of fierce fighter opposition, Aviation Radioman First Class Gilstrap participated in determined attacks on Japanese aircraft carriers. His plane scored a torpedo hit on each of two carriers which contributed to the destruction of one and possible destruction of the other. The effectiveness of these attacks were important factors in the success attained by our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea.