The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Thomas Brooks Adams (NSN: 0-116874), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in eight bombing attacks against enemy runways, anti-aircraft positions, bivouac areas, and supply dumps in the Munda-Villa area, by which he contributed to the rendering of those bases un-operational and to the invasion by our forces; and for one strike at night against shipping in Kahili Harbor in the face of strong anti-aircraft defenses. Also for one additional night shipping search which was extremely hazardous, though incomplete, because of most severe weather conditions and darkness. He flew one mission as air liaison officer in conjunction with landing operations on Rendova Island and Munda Point. In this active combat area, while on station un-escorted by fighter planes and during an enemy raid, he was twice attacked by sections of Zeros, and unaided shot down one enemy dive bomber with his TBF’s .30 caliber forward machine gun. His observations during this mission provided valuable information for the Commander, Aircraft Solomons. He also flew three completely successful night mine-laying missions in the Kahili-Shortland Harbors. These missions required precise, low-level, steady course flying for periods up to one and one-half minutes during which his plane and those in his flight were under continual searchlight illumination and intense heavy and automatic weapons anti-aircraft fire at ranges of less than one thousand yards. With disregard for his personal safety, he completed his runs on all three missions, placing his mines in the prescribed locations. Daily reconnaissance has revealed that at least two enemy vessels have been severely damaged by those mine fields. He also flew one daytime strike against shipping in Kahili Harbor in which, despite anti-aircraft and interception by enemy fighter planes, he contributed materially as a member of the attacking force to the sinking of four enemy destroyers and two auxiliary vessels, and to the severe damaging of one light cruiser and two destroyers. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Adams is credited with one 2,000-pound bomb his on a destroyer.