The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant James Andrew Brakefield (NSN: 0-116344), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a carrier-based torpedo plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-ONE (VT-81), embarked in U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), and assigned the mission of striking enemy shipping in the vicinity of Formosa on 15 January 1945. In spite of accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home his attack and scored a direct hit on a large enemy tanker causing an explosion and setting the enemy vessel ablaze. His courage and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.