The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James Alfred Boatright (NSN: 0-251426), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in operations against the Japanese Fleet on 7 April 1945, in the East china Sea. As a member of a flight of Torpedo Bombers he participated in a squadron low-level coordinated torpedo attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy fleet including a battleship, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked the enemy battleship. He pressed home his attack to minimum torpedo dropping range, dropped his torpedo and passed directly over the battleship. The Japanese battleship maneuvered radically causing his torpedo to miss, but in so doing was forced to turn toward the other members of his attack group who scored four damaging hits. His courage and skill in carrying out with perfect timing the pre-arranged plan was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.