Harold M. Mcgaughey

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Harold M. McGaughey, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Executive Officer and Pilot of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (VPB-117), in action on 29 January 1945. During a reconnaissance patrol between Leyte and Okinawa, Lieutenant Commander and his crew conducted a successful raid along the coast of the Japanese mainland, sinking five merchant ships and damaging five others. He then proceeded inland to strafe and destroy numerous shore installations and supply dumps in the face of intense antiaircraft fire. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.