The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Roland R. Witte, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while on a combat patrol over the U.S.S. CHICAGO (CA-29), on 30 January 1943. East of Rennel Island, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Witte intercepted a force of twelve Japanese torpedo bombers which were preparing to raid the cruiser. In the ensuing engagement, he shot down two and probably a third Japanese plane before they could release their torpedoes.