The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Charles W. Somers, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6055), United States Marine Corps, for heroic conduct in aerial combat with an enemy seaplane near Midway Island on 10 March 1942. During the near approach of an enemy four-engined seaplane to the Island of Midway, First Lieutenant Somers was the pilot of a fighting plane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-211), which was ordered to intercept and destroy the enemy plane. Despite difficult aerial combat conditions because of heavy cloud formations, in which the enemy plane took full advantage in his evasive tactics, First Lieutenant Somers pressed home his attack in an aggressive and effective manner which contributed to the destruction of the enemy four-engined seaplane. His action throughout was in accordance with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.