The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Harold Meade McGaughey (NSN: 0-115298), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. During the period from 12 to 24 December 1944, on three search and reconnaissance missions, Lieutenant Commander McGaughey and his crew caused the destruction of four enemy vessels and an enemy aircraft in aerial combat. On 12 December while on patrol, they sighted an enemy twin-engine plane and attacked it. When the range had been closed to a hundred and fifty yards, the gunners opened fire and raked the plane from nose to tail. It burst into flames and crashed into the sea. On 15 December 1944, again on a search and reconnaissance patrol they sighted three enemy vessels. Though opposed by anti-aircraft fire from them, several mast-head attacks were made until the ships and their gasoline cargo caught fire and they all burned to destruction. On 24 December another enemy vessel was encountered by them, and again, flying low through anti-aircraft fire, they attacked it until it was consumed in flames.