The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Richard Deyo Brooks, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in the Southwest Pacific Area. On the night of 14 to 15 March 1945, as Patrol Plane Commander of a Mariner aircraft in Patrol Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT (VP-28), engaged in a hazardous night mission over enemy waters west of Formosa, he executed a successful and daring low-level attack upon an enemy convoy of four armed ships. Despite the imminent threat of effective anti-aircraft fire he bombed and damaged a destroyer escort; then proceeded to the largest ship of the convoy, a 6,600 ton tanker and bombed and sank it. He also pressed daring masthead strafing attacks upon a small enemy tanker and a gunboat despite intense anti-aircraft fire and destroyed the tanker and the damaged gunboat. His courage and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.