David Lewis Carter

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to David Lewis Carter, Lieutenant [the Lieutenant, Junior Grade], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during an attack against warships of the enemy Japanese Fleet in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Countering fierce enemy fighter opposition and flying through intense anti-aircraft fire from guns of all calibers including Japanese battleship and cruiser main battery fire, Lieutenant Carter pressed daringly to within point-blank range of the largest in a well-coordinated attack to score a direct hit on a hostile carrier. By his airmanship and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous engagement, Lieutenant Carter contributed materially to the infliction of extensive and costly damage on the Japanese Fleet and to the success of this decisive engagement, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0279 (August 5, 1944)