James Franklin Merritt, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to James Franklin Merritt, Jr., Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron THIRTY-THREE (VP-33), in action on 26 September 1944, while deployed over Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Merritt led his Catalina in an attack against two enemy transports and their five armed escorts. The attack was conducted off the southwest coast of Mindanao, Philippines, in hazardous night conditions of bright moonlight and heavy concentrations of antiaircraft fire from the armed escort ships. During his mast head bombing attack his bombs failed to release. He returned, despite the heavy AA fire, and made a successful attack resulting in probable damage to one large transport and the destruction of the other transport. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.