The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Samuel G. Parsons, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of a Carrier-based Torpedo Bombing Plane during action against an enemy submarine in the Atlantic Ocean Area, April 10, 1944. Launched from his carrier as the relief for a plane which had previously attacked an enemy U-Boat, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Parsons reached the scene of the surfaced underwater vessel and, taking advantage of the protection afforded by clouds and low visibility, pressed home a damaging depth-bomb and rocket attack on the enemy. In spite of serious damage to his left wing from the extremely accurate and heavy hostile aircraft fire, he piloted his plane to safety. His cool courage and expert airmanship reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Parsons and the United States Naval Service.