The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign John S. Christiansen (NSN: 0-304147), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces in the vicinity of the Mariana Islands on 12 and 19 June 1944, as pilot of a carrier based fighter plane. When our naval forces were heavily attacked by large numbers of enemy carrier based planes, he pressed home determined attacks upon enemy formations in the face of fighter opposition, shot down one torpedo plane and probably destroyed another, thus contributing materially to the breaking up of the enemy attack. In addition, during an attack against an enemy base, he shot down one enemy dive bomber. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.