The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Alvin Adkins (NSN: 0-63364), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. COD (SS-224), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine in the period 3 July to 25 August 1944, in waters in the area of Manila and in Flores and Molukka Seas. Lieutenant Commander Adkins handled his ship expertly and maneuvered into position from which to strike the enemy despite the presence of strong surface and air anti-submarine patrols. In numerous aggressive and well-planned attacks he succeeded inflicting important damage on enemy shipping, sinking three cargo vessels and a large loaded naval landing ship, and damaging a fourth cargo vessel. In all encounters he resolutely retrained the initiative and pursued the attacks regardless of enemy countermeasures. He skillfully avoided the attempts by enemy escort vessels to counterattack with depth charges, and brought his vessel safely back to port. His actions and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.