The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Percy F. Avant, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13371), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the South Kyushu sector of Japan on 18 March 1945. As pilot of a carrier-based fighter aircraft and leader of a four-plane division, he participated in an engagement in which nine enemy aircraft were destroyed and seven were damaged in addition to inflicting extensive damage upon the enemy’s homeland airfield. When a large formation of enemy aircraft attempted to attack his formation, he skillfully swung his division immediately to the attack and in the first meeting he shot down one hostile plane and severely damaged another. Observing two enemy aircraft moving in for the kill on one of his division mates he brilliantly maneuvered his plane toward the hostile aircraft and succeeded in causing them to break off their attack before they could inflict any damage. Later he observed two more enemy fighter planes and dived to attack swiftly and unerringly, severely damaging one plane and driving off the other. When the sky had been swept clear of hostile aircraft he led his division in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire in two strafing and rocket attacks on the hostile airfield and field installations. His leadership and determination and the coordination displayed by his division of the entire flight, and his courage and skill in carrying out his attacks were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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 Captain Percy F. Avant, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13371), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in operations against the enemy in the Tokyo, Iwo Jima, Kyushu, Okinawa and Nansei Shoto areas. As pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane during the period from 16 February 1945 to 14 April 1945, he participated in twenty strikes against enemy shipping, airfields and military installations inflicting extensive damage. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.