The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander David W. Taylor, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while leading his squadron from the U.S.S. RANGER (CV-4) against a well-defended merchant vessel during the attack on enemy shipping off Bodo, Norway, 4 October 1943. Lieutenant Commander Taylor scored three direct hits amidships and left the hostile vessel in flames. He pressed home this vigorous attack in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire.