The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Frederick Fraser Palmer (NSN: 0-448768), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action as Commander, Attack Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14), embarked in U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61). During the devastatingly effective strike against the heavily defended Hai Phong petroleum and oil storage area in North Vietnam on 29 June 1966, Commander Palmer, as leader of the entire strike force, was responsible for the precise, well coordinated and imaginative plan which ultimately was responsible for the success of the entire mission. Knowingly placing himself in the middle of the strike force so that he could coordinate and evaluate the entire mission, he effected the rendezvous of the strike group of twenty-eight airplanes, directing them to the target with deliberate precision despite complete electronic and radar silence. At the target, he fired his rockets directly into fuel tanks causing a fireball which reached up to 1500 feet. Following his own attack, Commander Palmer, despite heavy enemy gunfire, turned back to the target to make the first essential evaluation of damage, noting that all ordnance had been accurately placed within the carefully prescribed target area and that the damage was extensive. His imaginative planning, skillful execution and outstanding courage in the face of extreme danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.