The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] James H. Waring, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. While defending the Russell Islands from a hostile air raid, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Waring, in company with other members of his Marine Aircraft Group, was attacked by superior numbers of enemy aircraft. Although unable to discard his auxiliary fuel tank, he fearlessly engaged a Zero, fighting with such determination that the enemy plane exploded in mid-air. Later in the action he shot down another enemy plane.