The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant James B. Seaman (MCSN: 0-31543), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-322), Marine Air Group THIRTY-THREE (MAG-33), FOURTH Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces north of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on the morning of 28 May 1945. After the U.S.S. DREXLER was hit by one hostile suicide plane and lay dead in the water with greatly reduced fire power, First Lieutenant Seaman courageously attacked on the tail of another attacking enemy aircraft and braved heavy gunfire from the U.S.S. DREXLER to force the enemy plane from its course. Then, observing that the hostile suicide craft would not crash the water but had recovered and was making another approach, he again attacked at close quarters and, in the face of the ship’s gunfire, continued to press his attack until the hostile plane crashed into the stricken vessel. By his airmanship, fortitude and determination, First Lieutenant Seaman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.