George Raines Carr

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to George Raines Carr, Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade], 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 major units of the Japanese Fleet during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. During repeated attacks upon numerous enemy air groups, Lieutenant Carr pressed home vigorous counterattacks against the outnumbering enemy forces and, despite constant fighter opposition, shot down five of the enemy dive bombers and damaged many others, thereby assisting materially in the total destruction by his squadron, of sixty-seven enemy aircraft. By his superb airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, he contributed to the defenses of our forces in t he area, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0280 (August 3, 1944)