The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Eddy L. Fayle, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign on 24 August 1942. Participating in an unsupported aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese task force, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fayle, pressing home his attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries and fighter planes, contributed to the relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage which enabled his group to score one certain hit and two estimated hits on an enemy cruiser. His courageous fighting spirit and fearless devotion to duty, maintained with utter disregard for his own personal safety, aided greatly in the defeat of the Task Force and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.