The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Alfred Austell Cunningham (MCSN: 0-211), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession in connection with the organization and training of the First Marine Aviation Force in the United States, and as Commanding Officer of this Aviation force in France, where it served against the enemy and rendered valuable service as part of the Northern Bombing Group (USN).