The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Howard P. Schuette`, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 14 June 1944 a six plane daylight strike was ordered on Miyoshino Airfield, Shiushu Island, to protect a surface task force from possible air attack by enemy bombers sighting on that field two days previously. As patrol plane commander of a Ventura medium bomber, he volunteered for this mission. With no cloud cover for concealment within one hundred miles of the target, without fighter escort, and with discretionary authority to turn back under such conditions, Lieutenant Schuette although separated from the other planes in the flight and intercepted by enemy fighters proceeded directly to his objective and was last seen flying through a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire at low level toward his target. His conduct, courage, determination and piloting skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.