The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Raymond Foster Conklin (NSN: 0-99794), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane during the operation of the U.S. Naval and Marine forces against the Solomon Islands. He contributed greatly to the occupation of the Tulagi-Gavutu-Tanambogo Islands by the U.S. Marines on 7 August 1942. While flying in the division of fighter airplanes led by Lieutenant Commander Shands, he disregarded machine gun fire which pierced his own airplane to strafe and personally destroy three Japanese Patrol planes. This, in addition to a later strafing attack on stores, machine gun emplacements and personnel on the above mentioned Islands, contributed immeasurably to the successful reduction and capture of the Islands. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.