The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Earl A. Bratton, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights from 8 August to 10 September 1944, while serving as Pilot of a PBJ (B-25) aircraft of Marine Bombing Squadron FOUR HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VMB-413). In the successful completion of these missions, First Lieutenant Bratton contributed materially to the success of the United States efforts. By his undaunted courage, superb airmanship and unyielding devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.