The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Junior Grade James W. Syme (NSN: 0-130176), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a fighter pilot during operations against the Marshall Islands and Paulau during World War II. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Syme scored many direct hits on enemy installations and shipping. On a vital mission to Palau he intercepted and destroyed a Japanese bomber. Later, when his flight of 10 planes encountered 30 hostile fighters, he probably destroyed one Japanese plane, although his own place was crippled during the action.