The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade James A. Shields, Jr. (NSN: 0-130103), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19 – 20 June 1944, while attacking a large enemy aircraft carrier. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Shields held his courser through the intense fire of four carriers, two battleships and several cruisers and destroyers to score a direct hit on his target. Attacked by an overwhelming number of Japanese fighters he blasted two from the sky before his plane was shot down.