The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Harvey Hal Avants (NSN: 0-146152), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against the enemy in the Tokyo area on 17 February 1945. As pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane assigned to a strike on important industrial objectives, he twice engaged enemy aircraft attacking friendly planes and succeeded in destroying two fighter planes. His aggressive tactics and superior airmanship thus contributed substantially to the success of the strike mission. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.