The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant William S. Bell (MCSN: 0-11960), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement and outstanding bravery during the attack on the Japanese held island of Saipan, while serving as Air Observer for the FOURTH Marine Division (Reinforced) from 17 June to 14 July 1944, with the mission of keeping the Commanding General and Regimental Commanders of the FOURTH Marine Division informed as to the situation ashore, both friendly and enemy. On 17 June 1944, First Lieutenant Bell and his pilot took off in an OY-1 aircraft from an escort carrier east of Saipan and, with no escort or navigational instruments other than a magnetic compass, made a successful landing on the Charan Kanoa Air Strip on Saipan. This strip had only recently been occupied by our forces and was still under heavy artillery and mortar bombardment. First Lieutenant Bell flew 27 missions over enemy lines, involving a total of more than 56 hours, most of which were flown in an OY-1 airplane with no armament or armor of any kind. In order to accomplish these missions most effectively, he flew at dangerously low altitudes far out over enemy territory, providing a perfect target for the heavy hostile anti-aircraft and small arms fire. The accurate reports which he rendered regarding the location of enemy troops and installations assisted materially in the success of the operation. His valorous conduct and intrepidity in performance of this hazardous and important assignment were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.