The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Walter Eastman Brown, Jr. (NSN: 0-106070), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area during the period from 25 September to 19 November 1943.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Walter Eastman Brown, Jr. (NSN: 0-106070), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in an aerial attack against the enemy as leader of a dive bomber section during the raid on Japanese warships in the strongly fortified harbor of Rabaul, New Britain, on 5 November 1943. Lieutenant Brown led his section through terrific anti-aircraft fire from a large number of major enemy warships and shore batteries and with quick decision and disregard of personal safety, pressed home a successful attack against a heavy cruiser. Harassed by enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire, he chose a direction of dive which would produce the most hits even though it forced him and his wingman to retired at low altitude close to and between enemy warships and directly through their concentrated cross fire for a distance of three to five miles at the end of which he successfully warded off enemy fighter attack. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.