The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James C. Clark, Jr., United States Navy, for while participating in aerial flight in contact with the enemy while serving as Commander of a Patrol Plane with Patrol Wing FOUR in action in the Territory of Alaska during the Aleutian Islands Campaign in June 1942. Dauntlessly braving extreme weather conditions to carry out his attack missions against Japanese ships in Kiska Harbor, he was forced by low ceiling to fly through the clouds, deliver his dive-bombing and strafing attack and pull out into the clear at a very low altitude. Subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries during these low altitude attacks his plane was pierced by shrapnel and lighter caliber projectiles. In one such attack, 350 miles from the base, his plane captain and second radioman were killed, his first radioman wounded and his port engine and aileron completely disabled. The remarkable skill, courage and endurance of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark and his crew enabled them to return their disabled plane to its base. His inspiring example of fortitude in perilous combat sustains the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.