The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign William J. Seyfferle (NSN: 0-278761), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while Piloting a Fighter Plane near the Mariana Islands from 11 to 20 June 1944. Ensign Seyfferle made bold strafing runs against gun positions, installations, aircraft and shipping on Saipan. During one hazardous mission he shot down one enemy plane, During the Battle of the Philippine Sea he made a run on a large Japanese carrier and subsequently returned to base safely despite total darkness.