The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Neil Scott Weary (NSN: 0-99998), 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 THREE (VS-3), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), in action against the enemy in 1942, over Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Weary, during his service at Guadalcanal, participated in seven dive-bombing attacks on enemy warships, and, on 5 October 1942, scored a direct hit on an enemy destroyer. All attacks were made under enemy anti-aircraft fire and many under adverse weather conditions. In addition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Weary conducted many searches over enemy held territory in the Solomon Islands and strafed and bombed Japanese land positions. On 16 September 1942, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Weary participated in an attack on three light cruisers and four destroyers; on 20 September 1942, in an attack on one heavy cruiser and three destroyers; and on 24 September 1942, in two night attacks on one light cruiser and three destroyers, repulsing the enemy from operations off the north coast of Guadalcanal. On 5 October 1942 he made a direct hit on a Japanese destroyer which probably resulted in sinking the vessel. On 12 October 1942, he was in a dive-bombing attack on two destroyers, and on 14 October 1942, in an attack on six transports and eight destroyers off the south-east tip of Santa Isabel Island. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.