Morris Russell Doughty

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Morris Russell Doughty, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron SEVENTY-ONE (VS-71), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 25 August 1942. During operations of the United States Naval and Marine Forces in support of the occupation of the islands, Lieutenant Doughty, intercepting a hostile four-engined flying boat which was harassing his own air group, pressed home a fearless and determined attack in the face of tremendous opposition. Riddled by his continuous and deadly fire, this huge plane disintegrated in mid-air, fell apart like a bursting shell and crashed into the sea. Lieutenant Doughty’s gallant initiative and courageous devotion to duty, maintained with utter disregard for his own personal safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.