The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Raymond J. Pflum, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane and Commanding Officer of Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VPB-121), in action against enemy Japanese forces off the coast of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 August 1945. Lieutenant Commander Pflum piloted one of two patrol bombers which located a survivor in the water, led a friendly submarine to the rescue, and defended the survivor and the submarine for 45 minutes against persistent attacks by eight enemy planes, shooting down two of them and damaging another. In addition he sank an enemy cargo vessel. His heroic action, airmanship and skill in battle were outstanding and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.