The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Aubrey Wray Fitch, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Aircraft, South Pacific Force from 21 September 1942 to 15 April 1944. Admiral Fitch overcame tremendous obstacles in the early phase of offensive operations and skillfully coordinated Navy, Marine Corps, Army and New Zealand air units.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Aubrey Wray Fitch, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the Government of the United States in a position of great responsibility as Commander of the Air Task Group of a Task Force in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. In the distinctive engagements of this battle, the skill and outstanding leadership of Rear Admiral Fitch and the courageous devotion to duty of the units under his command, resulted in the sinking of one Japanese carrier, the serious damaging of another and the sinking of one enemy cruiser, thereby contributing immeasurably to the ultimate success of our forces in these notable engagements.