Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Unit:

Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

July 6th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Section Leader in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), in action against enemy Japanese forces off the Japanese home island of Kyushu, on 7 April 1945. Participating in a daring strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fluitt pressed home his attacks in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his torpedo on a hostile battleship and contributing to its subsequent sinking. By his expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fluitt upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0949 (July 6, 1945).
Awarded posthumously, at the moment of the action he held the rank of Ensign.