The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Clyde Wayne Coats (MCSN: 0-24658), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Aviator with Marine Observation Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (VMO-155) in the Marshall Islands Area during combat support missions from 13 September 1944 to 1 October 1944. In the successful completion of these missions, First Lieutenant Coats contributed substantially to the success of U.S. operations. By his astute aeronautical skills, superb performance, and complete devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, First Lieutenant Coats reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.