The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James Waddell, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in the attack on major units of the Japanese fleet in Kure Harbor, Japan, consisting of battleships, carriers and heavy cruisers, on 24 July 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Waddell skillfully and courageously led his division of planes in a bombing attack against a large aircraft carrier despite intense anti-aircraft fire which resulted in three of four pilots in his flight scoring direct hits upon the ship. He himself scored a direct hit on the vessel which contributed materially to the major damage inflicted on that ship. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.