The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Harold Meade McGaughey (NSN: 0-115298), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 10 February 1945, he served as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy Search Liberator which flew through intense anti-aircraft fire to bomb and strafe an enemy ship, leaving it in a sinking condition, and also shot down an enemy aircraft. This was the fifth plane destroyed by this crew in aerial combat. His great courage, superb skill, and unfailing devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.