The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Everett Andrew Kamp, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based Fighter Plane on 7 March 1945. Under most adverse weather conditions he led two divisions of fighter planes in a pre-dawn strike on Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands, pressing home determined and effective rocket and strafing attacks in the face of accurate anti-aircraft fire on an enemy airfield, planes on the ground, shipping and numerous important ground installations. Although his plane had received severe damage when a direct hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire blew out the entire centrat panel of the port wing, thus requiring the utmost skill to maintain flight, he continued for a period of two hours to direct, efficiently and coolly, the operations of the other planes in their subsequent attacks and search for a lost plane with utter disregard for his own safety. His high personal courage, leadership, determination and skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.