The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign John Davis Wingfield (NSN: 0-99785), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. With keen determination in pursuing his objective, Ensign Wingfield, when his bomb failed to release during his initial dive on an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier, gallantly returned to the scene of attack without protection or support to complete his assigned mission. He failed to return from his attack. Ensign Wingfield’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.