The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Knute W. D. Lee, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. Flying to the assistance of one of his squadron members who had damaged a Japanese submarine, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Lee sighted the craft proceeding at impaired speed in the South Pacific area. He made two low runs despite persistent anti-aircraft fire and released depth charges which sank the crippled vessel.