The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Thomas Nelson Blanks (NSN: 0-263655), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 6 April 1945. Flying a fighter plane in combat air patrol he was vectored to the aid of two of our surface forces which were being subjected to enemy suicide attacks off the coast of Okinawa. He saw two suicide planes approaching a ship from opposite directions. On one the anti-aircraft fire was concentrated; the other was apparently unobserved except by him. A second enemy was flying low on the water and being chased by three friendly planes. Using his 800 foot altitude advantage he shot down the enemy after the other planes were forced to pull out because of excess speed. His skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.