The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against the Japanese on 4 and 8 May 1942. On 4 May, during the attack against enemy ships in Tulagi Harbor, he led his two-plane section in repeated attacks against an enemy armed transport and destroyer. The attack against the latter resulted in silencing all her guns and inflicting severe damage. On 8 May, as part of fighter escort for our own torpedo planes making an attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea, he was attacked by four enemy fighters. Through his skill and courage he succeeded in shooting down one of them, and by aggressive action, prevented the others from attacking the force which he was protecting. In this action, in which he was also subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire from enemy ships, he displayed skill and bravery which materially contributed to the success of the attack against the enemy carrier.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Elbert Scott McCuskey (NSN: 0-81585), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Through his courage, skill and determination he played a principal role in disrupting a bombing attack directed against the YORKTOWN by a formation of eighteen Japanese dive bombers accompanied by fighter escort. With three other friendly fighter planes, he intercepted the large enemy formation, and, in the face of their fire, personally shot down three enemy dive bombers, and damaged three others before he exhausted his ammunition. Later the same day, he engaged enemy fighters escorting a torpedo plane attack, pressing home his attacks so strenuously and skillfully as to bring about the destruction of two Japanese “Zero” fighters. His courage, determination and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.