The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James Harker Langrall (NSN: 0-250656), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron NINETEEN (VT-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Samar, Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. Participating in a torpedo attack against vital elements of an enemy Task Force including aircraft carriers, destroyers, battleships and cruisers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Langrall braved intense hostile anti-aircraft fire to press home a daring attack on an aircraft carrier, scoring a direct hit on the largest and thereby contributing to the subsequent sinking of the vessel. His skilled airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.