Ralph Mcmaster Rich

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ralph McMaster Rich (0-084139), Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. As leader of a section of fighters in an escort group toward the main Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Rich maintained continuous flight over enemy naval units for one hour, assuring United States dive bombers an unmolested approach. Later the same day as a member of a combat patrol he shot down in flames a Japanese Torpedo Plane approaching the U.S.S. YORKTOWN. Ensign Rich’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)