Paul Geddes Pennoyer, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Paul Geddes Pennoyer, Jr., Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane of Air Group TWENTY-EIGHT (AG-28), embarked from the U.S.S. MONTEREY (CVL-26), in action on 20 June 1944, while participating in aerial combat against the Japanese Fleet in the Marianas Islands, during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. By his airmanship and cool courage in the face of tremendous odds, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Pennoyer contributed materially to the infliction of extensive and costly damage on the Japanese Fleet in this decisive engagement and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.