The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Radioman Second Class Gail W. Halterman, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and extreme courage as gunner of an airplane in a Bombing Squadron, in action in the Battle of Midway, 4 to 6 June 1942. During three determined dive bombing attacks against the Japanese invasion fleet, Aviation Radioman Second Class Halterman, after a safe pull-out from the dive in the first attack, repelled pursuing enemy fighters with effective and timely fire from his free machine guns, thereby aiding his pilot to escape. Again, countering violent and persistent enemy fighter interference prior to and during the second dive bombing attack, he enabled his pilot to score a hit on an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier. His alertness, coolness under fire and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.