James Ritchie

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to James Ritchie, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Torpedo Plane in Composite Squadron THIRTY-SEVEN (VC-37), embarked from the U.S.S. SANGAMON (CVE-26), in operations against superior enemy surface units threatening our forces in near Samar in the Philippine Islands during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. His outstanding conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.