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 Cecil Elwood Harris (NSN: 0-114286), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron EIGHTEEN (VF-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action against enemy Japanese forces, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, 24 October 1944. Leading his division on the return flight from a special search mission, Lieutenant Harris encountered two enemy planes in the waters between Palawan and Panay Island and, immediately giving battle, blasted the hostile craft out of the sky in a short and fierce attack. By his inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Harris contributed materially to the success of his division in the fulfillment of this important assignment and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Cecil Elwood Harris (NSN: 0-114286), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron EIGHTEEN (VF-18), during action against enemy Japanese forces over Central Luzon, Philippine Islands on 25 November 1944. Courageously leading his flight against a numerically superior enemy closing our Task Force, Lieutenant Harris skillfully maneuvered for maximum striking power and, training his guns with deadly accuracy on his adversary, personally destroyed three of the eleven aircraft shot down by his group and contributed to the probable destruction of another. By his superb airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit, Lieutenant Harris contributed essentially to the success of his squadron, and his valiant devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Cecil Elwood Harris (NSN: 0-114286), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron EIGHTEEN (VF-18), in action against enemy Japanese forces off Formosa, 14 October 1944. Launched on an anti-snooper patrol mission, Lieutenant Harris sighted an enemy aircraft while still within range of gunfire from his own formation about to open fire on enemy aircraft and, despite great hazards, engaged the hostile aircraft and shot it down in flames. Encountering a second Japanese plane as he pulled away from this action, he shot it down well inside the Fleet formation in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from our own surface forces and, continuing his flight, shot down still a third plane an hour later. His skilled airmanship, indomitable fighting spirit and resolute determination reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Harris and upon the United States Naval Service.