The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Donald Wallace McMillan (NSN: 0-112798), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron NINETEEN (VT-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. He skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a torpedo attack on major units of a Task Force of the enemy Fleet including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he made a determined attack releasing his torpedo at close range on an enemy aircraft carrier. His skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.