The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Donald Joseph Melvin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VT-51), attached to the U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), operating against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Launched from his carrier to intercept warships of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Melvin boldly led a glide-bombing attack on a hostile aircraft carrier and destroyer, flying in through intense and merciless anti-aircraft fire to score three direct hits on the destroyer, damaging it severely and probably sinking it. With his fuel low following this bitterly fought action, he made the long flight back to his carrier-base and, skillfully executing a hazardous water-landing, made possible the safe rescue of himself and his aircrewman by our surface vessels. His intrepid airmanship, cool initiative in the face of grave peril and his gallant fighting spirit were contributing factors in the success of our forces in this important encounter with the Japanese Fleet and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Melvin and 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 Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Donald Joseph Melvin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VT-51), attached to the U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), in action against enemy Japanese Fleet units east of Luzon during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 25 October 1944. A daring and skilled airman, dauntless and aggressive in combat, Lieutenant Commander Melvin boldly led his squadron in two vigorous torpedo attacks, braving intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire to strike at the enemy and score several damaging hits against major Japanese combatant ships. His forceful leadership, personal courage and gallant devotion to the completion of each hazardous mission were essential factors in the success achieved by his squadron, and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Melvin and sustain the fine traditions of the United States Naval Service.