The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Hector Singleton McDaniel, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a Navy PBY Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VPB-101), in action against enemy Japanese during an armed reconnaissance mission over Puerto Princessa and the surrounding areas in the Philippine Islands on 19 October 1944. Boldly sweeping over a concentrated area in a series of devastating runs, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McDaniel contributed materially to the sinking of two cargo vessels and the destruction of ten hostile planes on an enemy airstrip despite a deadly barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Then, in a second attack, he aided in the destruction of three seaplanes and the damaging of three others before his own plane sustained severe damage which made necessary a dangerous crash landing at sea. With his pilot and three crewmen seriously injured in the landing, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McDaniel rescued them from the water and got them ashore, after which he was largely instrumental in obtaining aid from the Philippine Guerillas, thereby assisting in saving the lives of his six comrades. His airmanship, exceptional courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.