The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Alberto C. Emerson (NSN: 0-71727), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 13 October 1942. As a pilot of the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8) Air Group covering a task force engaged in a vital mission, Lieutenant Emerson pressed home his attack on a Japanese bomber and with the assistance of two other pilots shot it down in flames. Destruction of this plane at a time when the enemy was attempting to locate and attack our task force contributed greatly to the security of this force and in keeping inviolate its secret mission.