The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Henry McGann, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Gunnery Officer aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY (DD-774), during an attack on that vessel by more than one hundred enemy Japanese planes off Okinawa, the morning of 11 May 1945. Skillfully directing his men in the fight against waves of hostile suicide and dive-bombing planes attacking his ship from all directions, Lieutenant McGann sent up barrages of anti-aircraft fire and, by his courage and determination in maintaining effective gunfire throughout the prolonged engagement, shot down at least nineteen Japanese planes before the ship was finally crashed by a bomb and three Kamikazes. Lieutenant McGann’s leadership and professional skill in the face of overwhelming opposition reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.