The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant James Charles Dempsey (NSN: 0-70132), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SPEARFISH (SS-190), on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine during the period 27 March 1943 to 20 May 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific War Area. Due to his expert seamanship and courageous tactics, Lieutenant Dempsey succeeded in entering waters closely patrolled by enemy Japanese air and surface forces to attack and destroy an armed naval auxiliary vessel and a large cargo type ship, undetected by the enemy and without damage to the vessel under his command. Furthermore, while engaged on a special mission, he penetrated enemy patrol lines, defied close range artillery barrage and effected the evacuation of many personnel of the United States armed forces beleaguered on an island under constant enemy attack. He then coolly and skillfully extricated his vessel from this critical and perilous situation. In these actions, Lieutenant Dempsey manifested a courageous and determined spirit of offensive action, thus sustaining the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant James Charles Dempsey (NSN: 0-70132), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. S-37 (SS-142), during the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine in offensive action in the straits of Makassar, on 8 February 1942. Having made contact with a large force of enemy Japanese vessels operating in that area, Lieutenant Dempsey attacked four vessels from the surface at close range, completely destroying one of them in the engagement. The other destroyers of the opposing force immediately made a counterattack which lasted for a considerable time but from which, with notable skill and excellent judgment, Lieutenant Dempsey withdrew without sustaining any damage. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.