The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] James McGee, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron TWO (VBF-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Carrying out a dive bombing attack in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant McGee scored a hit to assist in the destruction of a large enemy carrier and, with his craft’s fuel supply exhausted during the return to base, executed a water landing near his carrier. By his skill as an airman and devotion to duty, Lieutenant McGee upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.