The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Charles H. Brown (NSN: 0-355074), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy as a pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber in Bombing Squadron TWELVE (VB-12), in an attack on an aircraft assembly plant in the vicinity of Tokyo on 16 February 1945. Although his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire just as he was about to go into his dive on the target, he elected to continue his attack rather than to use his altitude and remaining power in an attempt to reach safety. His decision, made with utter disregard for his personal safety, resulted in a direct and damaging hit on a vital enemy industry. The courage and devotion to duty which he demonstrated in completing his mission are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.