The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Philip Huston Torrey, Jr. (NSN: 0-73559), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of a Fighting Squadron during the attack on Marcus Island, 31 August 1943. He successfully directed his squadron in the accomplishment of extensive damage to the enemy shore installations and grounded airplanes in the face of enemy aircraft fire. His ability to organize and the leadership, judgment, and courage that he displayed contributed materially to the success of the attack. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Philip Huston Torrey, Jr. (NSN: 0-73559), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of a Fighter Squadron during a strike on enemy shipping at Rabaul, New Britain, on 11 November 1943. Lieutenant Commander Torrey and his fighter squadron provided such excellent protection for the bombing planes during the attack and subsequent retirement, that although they were under constant attack by enemy fighters, only one bomber was lost. In the action his squadron destroyed fourteen of the sixteen enemy planes which were shot down, he himself destroying one and severely damaging another. In a subsequent counter-attack by enemy aircraft the same day, his squadron destroyed forty-one of the attacking planes for a total of fifty-five Japanese planes during the two engagements. His outstanding leadership, excellent training progress, and courageous devotion to duty were largely responsible for the complete success of the missions and the severe damage dealt to the Japanese forces. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Philip Huston Torrey, Jr. (NSN: 0-73559), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the first strike of World War II against Saipan, Mariana Islands, 22 February 1944. In spite of considerable difficulties and despite circumstances that tended to thwart the successful execution of this operation, he, as Commander Carrier Air Group NINE, led his Air Group in a successful attack against the Japanese airfield and seaplane base at Saipan. Despite a storm which completely obscured the target to an altitude of 12,000 feet, he reached his objective, and, by taking advantage of intermittent breaks in weather, successfully attacked the airfield, seaplane base and grounded planes thereon, in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire. He made repeated strafing attacks, one of which was so low that an enemy plane exploding directly beneath him, resulted in pieces of the debris penetrating the undersurface of his starboard wing. He also obtained excellent oblique photographs of this hitherto un-photographed enemy base. His leadership, planning, courage and individual actions contributed greatly to the success of the mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.