The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Francis J. Sauer, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight . As a pilot of Scouting Squadron THREE (VS-3), from 13 September 1942 to 14 October 1942, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Sauer participated in skillful and determined attacks on four heavy cruisers, six light cruisers, 38 destroyers, and six transports in addition to destructive raids on Rekata Bay and Viru Harbor.