The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Tom Fred Cheek (NSN: 0-137138), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the “Battle of Midway, on 4 June 1942. While engaged as Section Leader of a fighter escort for our torpedo planes, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cheek, en route toward an assault upon three enemy aircraft carriers, was viciously intercepted by a superior force of Japanese fighter planes. By employment of skillful tactics and maneuvers he repeatedly diverted the attacking fighters from the formation of torpedo planes and eventually shot one down. Although he became separated from his wingman in the course of the action, he continued to press home his attacks, in the face of powerful anti-aircraft fire and without assistance from other friendly planes, then successfully found his carrier and safely landed aboard. His courageous devotion to duty, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.