The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Franklin Charles Thomas, Jr. (MCSN: 0-14312), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-211), in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the South Pacific Area, from 16 October 1943 to 29 March 1944. Flying escort in a daring bomber sweep over the heavily-fortified Rabaul, New Britain Area, on 9 January, Captain Thomas fought his plane with aggressive determination against enemy fighters which rode to intercept the formation and, pressing home a bold attack, shot down two of the Japanese aircraft, probably destroyed two more and damaged a fifth. Defying a superior number of hostile aircraft on another escort mission over the same area on 27 January, he repelled their attack, carrying on the battle with consistent skill and fortitude and destroying three of the intercepting planes. By his cool courage, superb airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty, Captain Thomas contributed essentially to the success of numerous hazardous combat missions and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.