Daniel L. Cummings’ Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

Daniel L. Cummings

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 and 5 June 1942. During the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Second Lieutenant Cummings, in a hail of blasting fire from Japanese fighter guns and anti-aircraft batteries, dived his plane to the perilously low altitude of four hundred feet before releasing his bomb. When he pulled out, his craft was so severely damaged that he was forced down at sea, where he effected a safe landing on the water within sight-distance of his base. His courageous determination and extreme disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.