The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Samuel Adams Davis, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Rescue Plane in Rescue Squadron THREE during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Japanese Homeland on 25 July 1945. Persisting in a search for two downed aviators in the Inland Sea of Japan after his escort was forced to leave him, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Davis located and rescued a fighter pilot in the face of anti-aircraft fire from enemy shore batteries. While returning to his base, he sighted two more downed pilots and, executing a skillful landing by moonlight in a rough sea, took them aboard and returned the three airmen safe to base. His superb airmanship and courageous devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Davis and the United States Naval Service.