The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Junior Grade Anthony J. Ditter (NSN: 0-116275), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of a Ventura Bomber in the South Pacific from 20 October 1943 to 22 February 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ditter took part in many daring raids on hostile installations. In a strike against targets on the coast of New Ireland on 22 February, he succeeded in crippling enemy barges, shore installations and a valuable station at Cape St. George before his plane was badly damaged. He made a skillful water landing with no power from either engine, bringing his four crew members down to safety, although he himself was fatally injured.