The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Maxwell A. Eaton, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FORTY-ONE (VS-41), attached to the U.S.S. RANGER (CV-4), in action during the occupation of French Morocco, 8 to 11 November 1942. Launching a vigorous dive-bombing raid on hostile surface units in the vicinity of Casablanca on 8 November, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Eaton, under a bursting hail of anti-aircraft shells, scored a direct 500-pound bomb hit on a light cruiser. On another flight, he volunteered for and brilliantly executed an individual dive-bombing attack on an anti-aircraft battery, which he succeeded in silencing. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Eaton’s performance of duty was highly instrumental in reducing the resistance of the hostile forces and thereby greatly assisted the final occupation of the Casablanca area. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.