The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Van Vernon Eason, Jr. (NSN: 0-85924), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in an aerial attack against enemy shipping in Truk Atoll. On 17 February 1944, he led a flight of torpedo bombers from a carrier on a night minimum altitude bombing attack which destroyed and damaged a substantial number of enemy ships. This attack was executed in darkness against ships inside the lagoon in the face of great danger from intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and under exceptionally difficult and hazardous circumstances. His courage, judgment, skill and relentless determination to destroy the enemy contributed greatly to the success of this attack and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.