The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] James Jones, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Air Group THIRTY-ONE (AG-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), during operations against enemy Japanese forces west of the Mariana Islands, on 20 June 1944. Pressing home a daring attack upon a major unit of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jones skillfully maneuvered his plane at perilously close range in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and, striking vigorously at the enemy and succeeded in scoring a direct his upon an aircraft carrier. His marked ability, great personal courage, and unswerving devotion to duty at grave personal risk were important factors in the infliction of extensive damage upon the enemy and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Jones and the Untied states Naval Service.