The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant William V. Brooks (MCSN: 0-8050), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), during the Battle of Midway Islands on 4 June 1942. While in combat with Japanese aircraft, vastly superior in numbers, he fearlessly pressed home his attack, thereby seriously damaging the plans of the enemy, lessening the effectiveness of their attack, and contributing greatly to their defeat. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.