The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant George Thornhill McDaniel, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. SMITH (DD-378), in action against the enemy during the operations of the U.S. Naval Forces north of the Santa Cruz, Islands, on 26 October 1942. When a flaming Japanese plane crashed on the forecastle of his ship, its torpedo exploding, Lieutenant McDaniel gallantly led a fire party to the scene, and despite fierce aerial attacks, finally succeeded in extinguishing it, thereby enabling his ship to maintain her position in a carrier’s screen. The conduct of Lieutenant McDaniel throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.