The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Maynard James Mitchell (NSN: 0-346962), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Pilot of a Dive Bomber Plane in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VB-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Pressing home an attack on an enemy battleship through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire which damaged his plane and injured a crewman, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Mitchell succeeded in scoring a damaging near miss on the hostile vessel. Realizing that a force landing would be necessary, he flew his plane away from the enemy base and, after skillfully executing a smooth water landing, assisted his wounded gunner into a life raft before the plane sank. By his thorough knowledge of first aid, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Mitchell contributed to saving the life of his crewman, and his airmanship and courageous devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.