The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Robert J. Mohler, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight . Scoring direct hits and near misses on a light cruiser, a destroyer and a heavy cruiser, 15 October 1942, in the Solomons Islands area, he also assisted in sinking four and possibly five Japanese transports despite severe fighter opposition and anti-aircraft fire. He participated in numerous attacks on enemy surface vessels during a period of intense activity.