The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Ronald Eugene McKeown (NSN: 0-647772), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy as a Pilot of jet aircraft while serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (VF-161) embarked in U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41). On 23 May 1972, in support of an air strike against the Haiphong petroleum products storage in North Vietnam, the Combat Air Patrol element, in which Lieutenant Commander McKeown participated as flight leader, was taken under attack by six enemy fighter aircraft. Demonstrating exceptional aeronautical skill, Lieutenant Commander McKeown engaged the attackers in extremely low altitude aerial combat, accounting for the confirmed downing of one enemy aircraft. Continuing his expert maneuvering while negating several gun attacks by the enemy, Lieutenant Commander McKeown pressed an attack on an enemy fighter closing behind his wingman, resulting in a second confirmed downing of an enemy fighter aircraft. His superb airmanship and courage reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.