The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Norman D. Hodson, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. Sighting a U-boat while on patrol in a carrier-based fighter plane, Lieutenant Hodson made a vigorous strafing run against the decks and conning tower, permitting two torpedo bombers to launch attacks unopposed. When the submarine was forced to the surface he swept down again, setting fire to the vessel and keeping her anti-aircraft guns out of action until one of the bombers completed the destruction.