Cecil Ralph Mester

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Cecil Ralph Mester, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane, in action on 18 July 1945, while deployed over Yokosuka, Japan. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Cecil Ralph Mester, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TEN (VB-10), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces west of the Marianas Islands, during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Mester contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.