The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Henry G. Sanchez, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding officer of a Fighter Squadron embarked in U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during action against enemy Japanese forces near Santa Cruz Islands. Covering a striking group of our Scout and Torpedo Bombers, Lieutenant Commander Sanchez led a division of fighters in a determined and daring attack on Japanese interceptor planes, thus enabling our planes to succeed in their attack mission against enemy heavy naval units including carriers and cruisers. Lieutenant Commander Sanchez personally shot down one fighter and his valiant fighting spirit served as an inspiration to the pilots under his command and contributed to the extremely heavy damage inflicted upon the enemy.