The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Seaman First Class Dana M. Manion, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat as radioman/gunner of a Torpedo Plane in action against enemy forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. He assisted in the attacks on enemy aircraft carriers while being subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire. During an attack by enemy aircraft on the squadron, two type 97 Japanese fighter planes were shot down and destroyed by rear seat gun action. On 8 May, his plane scored a torpedo hit on an enemy carrier which contributed to her probable destruction and the to the victory attained by our forces.