The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Chief Radioman Thomas E. Merritt, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as gunner of a Scouting plane in the Battle of Midway, 4 to 6 June 1942. With heroic and meritorious devotion to duty, Chief Merritt rendered valuable assistance to his pilot by detailing continuous specific and comprehensive information concerning the disposition and movements of enemy Japanese units. His courage and cool determination in carrying out this vital task in the face of furious and repeated enemy attacks was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.