The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William E. Mann, Jr., United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as commander of a patrol plane of Patrol Wing FOUR, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Aleutian Campaign, 1 to 15 June 1942. Eagerly accepting hazardous scouting missions, he, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, participated in all-night aerial patrols and bombing attacks launched on Japanese vessels in Kiska Harbor, in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft fire and fierce aerial opposition. His courageous persistence and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.