Lieutenant
THOMAS BYRD VAN BRUNT
U.S. Naval Reserve
Pilot
Composite Squadron VC-65
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