James Francis Rigg

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to James Francis Rigg, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands on 12 September 1944. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.