The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Charles Wright Brunson, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a turret gunner in a carrier-based torpedo aircraft in a strike against major units of a task force of the enemy fleet in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. While his pilot was circling downed friendly pilots within anti-aircraft range of the enemy task force, his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter aircraft. In the ensuing action he destroyed the enemy aircraft, thereby enabling his pilot to render effective aid to the downed survivors. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.