The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign James H. Eoff, United States Naval Reserve, for heroism while participating in an aerial flight. As pilot of SB2U-1 on 31 August 1939, while flying at an altitude of three thousand feet, Ensing Eoff’s plane experienced a complete engine failure. At the time, the terrain beneath him was such as to prevent a forced landing without probable severe injury or death to the occupants of the plane. Ensign Eoff gave his radioman the opportunity of jumping. In attempting to do so, the latter’s parachute fouled the structure of the airplane and he dangled beneath the fuselage. Declining to attempt to save his own life by jumping, Ensign Eoff remained at his station and made every effort to free his passenger by maneuvering the airplane. His efforts were unsuccessful and the extra weight and drag of the man suspended from the airplane caused it to stall and crash to the earth with terrific force, killing him and his passenger. Ensign Eoff’s courage, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditiions fo the Naval Service.