Maxwell A. Eaton

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Maxwell A. Eaton, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FORTY-ONE (VS-41), embarked from the U.S.S. RANGER (CV-4), in action during the occupation of French Morocco, 8 to 11 November 1942. Launching a vigorous dive-bombing raid on hostile surface units in the vicinity of Casablanca on 8 November, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Eaton, under a bursting hail of anti-aircraft shells, scored a direct 500-pound bomb hit on a light cruiser. On another flight, he volunteered for and brilliantly executed an individual dive-bombing attack on an antiaircraft battery, which he succeeded in silencing. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Eaton’s performance of duty was highly instrumental in reducing the resistance of the hostile forces and thereby greatly assisted the final occupation of the Casablanca area. His 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. 316 (July 1943)