The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Billie Goodell, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. While serving as gunner of a Patrol Plane, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class Goodell sighted a surfaced submarine at a considerable distance and manned his gun for the attack. Climbing partly out of the plane for more effective fire, he raked the vessel, accurately timing his fire with the launching of a depth-charge attack. His exceptional vigilance contributed to the probably destruction of the U-Boat.