The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William E. Effinger, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while serving as bombardier-navigator of a B-17 aircraft on heavy bombardment missions against the enemy. In spite of intense flak, inoperative navigational instruments and adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Effinger by his determination, technical skill and courageous devotion to duty, materially contributed to the completion of the missions against Dessau, Germany, 16 January 1945, and against Berlin, Germany, 18 January 1945. His actions on these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.