The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant George William Schuncke, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron SIXTY-FIVE (VC-65), attached to the U.S.S. ST. LO (CVE-63), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan in the Mariana Islands on 2 July 1944. Lieutenant Schuncke valiantly launched an attack against two Japanese armored cars firing on a U.S. Navy seaplane. Despite the terrific and concentrated anti-aircraft fire he flew in low to attack, holding persistently to the heavily armored targets until his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed behind enemy lines. His courageous initiative and determined aggressiveness were directly instrumental in saving the seaplane from probable destruction and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.