The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Walter T. Meyer, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight from Luke Field, Territory of Hawaii, to Hilo, Island of Hawaii, on 14 May 1930. Lieutenant Meyer, Accompanying Lieutenant Ulysses G. Jones in a LOENING amphibian plane, was radio officer of 3 amphibians which were part of the group flight of 16 planes engaged in a tactical training flight. At about 11:07 a.m. one of the bombing planes fell out of control at an altitude of about 8,000 feet, and the crew were forced to take to their parachutes, landing in rough seas. At the time of the accident and throughout the day, a very strong wind was blowing, whipping up the waves to a dangerous height. After Lieutenant Meyer had sent out a radio SOS call telling of the accident, Lieutenant Jones landed his plane in an attempt to rescue the men in the water. With disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Meyer risked his life by going out on the end of the lower right wing, which was at times submerged, in an attempt to rescue one of the men from the water. Owing to the force of the wind and waves, and missing motor which finally stopped, they were unsuccessful in their efforts to maneuver their plane. However, by landing in close proximity to the men in the water the crew of a Navy flying boat was able to see the men and effect their rescue. Lieutenant Meyer stayed with his plane until rescued about 1:30 a.m. May 15, 1930, endangering his life repeatedly during the last hour, trying to secure tow ropes, thrown from a Naval aircraft tender, in an attempt to save his plane.