The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Samuel White Forrer, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SEVENTY-ONE (VF-71), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on 7 August 1942. Participating as wingman in an assault launched by Fighting Squadron SEVENTY-ONE, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Forrer, with utter disregard for his own personal safety under a bursting hail of anti-aircraft fire, closely strafed and eventually silenced and enemy machine-gun which was harassing his Squadron Commander. In addition, pressing home his own attacks with grim tenacity and superb flying skill, he destroyed one Japanese patrol plane and two ZERO fighters, thereby contributing greatly to the reduction and occupation of the Solomon Islands. His expert airmanship and aggressive fighting spirit in the face of great danger was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.