The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Paul Geddes Pennoyer, Jr. (NSN: 0-145456), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane of Air Group TWENTY-EIGHT (AG-28), attached to the U.S.S. MONTEREY (CVL-26), in an attack against an enemy Task Force on 20 June 1944, in the Vicinity of the Mariana Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. The attack was pressed under intense anti-aircraft fire from many heavily armed units of the enemy Fleet and was prosecuted with cool deliberation and disregard of extreme personal danger. His attack was carried to a low level to insure definite damage to the enemy and resulted in three hits and a near miss on an enemy carrier. After the attack he successfully flew his plane after dark through unfavorable weather, a distance of 300 miles, to his parent carrier whereupon he made a safe landing. His skill and display of courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.