The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain [then Commander] Ira Ellis McMillian (NSN: 0-63149), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), Flagship of the Screen Commander in Task Force FIFTY-FOUR (TF-54), during action against enemy Japanese forces in support of our amphibious operations at Okinawa, on 6 April 1945. With his destroyer subjected to a series of suicide attacks by seven enemy planes, Captain McMillian conducted skilled evasive maneuvers and coolly directed his guns against the plunging aircraft, blasting three of them out of the sky as the other four crashed at intervals into the gallant NEWCOMB. Instantly organizing fire fighting and repair parties to quell the flames raging in the spaces from the bridge aft to Number 3 gun and to control the flooding, violent internal explosions and extensive damage in many vital parts of the ship, Captain McMillian fought off continuing attacks by hostile planes and directed his men in utilizing every means of saving the stouthearted destroyer. When one attacking plane was on a course headed directly for the bridge structure, he unhesitatingly manned the helm and, initiating a radical maneuver, succeeded in avoiding the enemy aircraft. With the assistance of two destroyers ranging alongside his vessel, Captain McMillian led his crew in extinguishing all fires and in effecting emergency repairs, enabling the NEWCOMB to be towed to port. Maintaining a high standard of fighting efficiency throughout the long and terrific attack, Captain McMillian, by his fearless leadership and courage in the face of grave personal danger, contributed to the destruction of three Japanese planes and to the preservation of his severely damaged destroyer. His heroic conduct and unwavering devotion to duty were inspiring to the NEWCOMB’s Officers and men and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.