The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Chief Aviation Pilot] John Vukic, United States Coast Guard, for courageous and extraordinary achievement while voluntarily participating in aerial flights as Pilot, Co-Pilot and Navigator of a PBM-5 Patrol Plane engaged in tests and studies of rough water take-offs and landings from September 1946 to January 1947. In all kinds of rough weather and seas, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vukic rendered invaluable service while flying in more than one hundred and seventy arduous tests off the coasts of New England, Southern and Northern California, off the Virginia Capes and the Florida Keys and in the Gulf of Mexico. At the time of the loss of a float in a high swell, his skill and heroic conduct were principally responsible for saving the plane. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Vukic’s constant resourcefulness, untiring devotion to duty and indomitable courage reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.