The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Roland Nevil McMackin, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIXTEEN (VB-16), attached to the U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Honshu, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Fearlessly disregarding intense anti-aircraft fire sent up from surrounding warships and shore batteries, Lieutenant Commander McMackin pressed home a vigorous attack on a major enemy vessel to score a direct hit resulting in a violent explosion which seriously damaged the hostile ship. By his expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander McMackin contributed materially to the ultimate sinking of the enemy vessel and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.