The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Merl W. Davenport, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Division Leader in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), operating in the Solomon Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago from 26 January to 7 March 1944. Lieutenant Davenport took part in 31 combat missions over Japanese territory. His superior airmanship and excellent teamwork contributed materially to the success of these missions.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Merl William Davenport, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action on 6 November 1943, off the southwest coast of Bougainville. Lieutenant Davenport placed his four-plane division in a position which resulted in the speedy destruction of a Japanese bomber. On 18 November, while proceeding on a dawn attack on an enemy airfield, he rescued a comrade who had been shot down at sea the day before. In action against six enemy fighter planes on 21 November 1943, his squadron shot down all six Japanese planes. He, himself, shot down two planes.