The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Joseph Edward Cannon (MCSN: 0-9422), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, while serving with a Marine aircraft group in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on 24 December 1942. Setting out as part of a four-plane escort to a group of dive bombers ordered to attack ground installations on Munda Point, Second Lieutenant Cannon encountered 15 enemy zero-type fighters. In the ensuing action he fought with skill and accuracy, personally shooting down two enemy planes and contributing to the destruction of eight additional hostile aircraft. Driving off the remaining Zeroes with grim determination and cool courage, Second Lieutenant Cannon and his comrades enabled our diver bombers , unmolested, to complete their mission successfully. His gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.