The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Radioman Second Class Douglas Whitney Pierson, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as gunner attached to a Scouting Plane aboard the U.S.S. PHILADELPHIA (CL-41) during the invasion of Sicily. On 10 July 19843, he accompanied his pilot on an extremely hazardous flight seven miles into Sicily to spot and report long-range gunfire although he was fully aware of the presence in the vicinity of enemy aircraft of superior speed and armament.