The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] James Burris Miller, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron SIXTEEN (VBF-16), attached to the U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Honshu, Japan, on 24 July 1943. Participating in a daring strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet at the Kure Naval Base, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Miller carried out a skillful dive-bombing attack against an enemy battleship and, in the face of an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire, scored a direct hit on the vessel. By his gallant fighting spirit and skill as an airman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Miller contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel after the attack and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.