Lieutenant
THOMAS BYRD VAN BRUNT
U.S. Naval Reserve
Pilot
Composite Squadron VC-65
USS ST LO (CVE 63)

NAVY CROSS

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington

The President of the United States takes pride in
Presenting the NAVY CROSS to

THOMAS BYRD VAN BRUNT, LIEUTENANT
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:

                "For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Composite Squadron Sixty Five, attached to the U.S.S. St. Lo, during action against Japanese forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 25, 1944.  Flying without assistance from other aircraft, Lieutenant Van Brunt pressed home two daring attacks against an enemy Task Group, dropping three depth bombs alongside a heavy cruiser and scoring a direct hit on a hostile battleship.  His courage and airmanship reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Van Brunt and the United States Naval Service."

                                                                            For the President,

                                                                            /s/ James Forrestal

                                                                            Secretary of the Navy