The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Aviation Pilot Benjamin Monroe Doggett (NSN: 2720139), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. As a Pilot of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), Chief Aviation Pilot Doggett and three other torpedo pilots attacked a Japanese heavy cruiser and three destroyers which were proceeding toward Guadalcanal on 4 – 5 October 1942. He scored one of the hits which sank the cruiser. Later, Chief Aviation Pilot Doggett set off a terrific explosion in an ammunition dump at Cape Esperance, but his plane crashed into the water while withdrawing from this action at a very low altitude.