The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander (MC) [then Lieutenant Commander (MC)] James Louis Fuelling, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of personal danger while serving as a Medical Officer on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), during a Japanese aerial attack which seriously damaged that vessel as she prepared to strike at the Japanese mainland in the vicinity of Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Trapped in a smoke-filled compartment on the third deck when his ship was hit by an enemy bomb which caused ready bombs, rockets and ammunition to explode, Commander Fuelling quelled incipient panic and, by his presence of mind and his courageous leadership during rescue operations, succeeded in removing all personnel from the compartment. Proceeding to the flight deck, he administered to the wounded and assisted in their evacuation. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.