Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121), Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14), U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, U.S. Marine Corps

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-121), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), First Marine Air Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area diring the periods 9 Oct 1942 to 23 Nov 1942 and from 1 to 30 Jan 1943. First Lieutenant Presley, while serving a six weeks tour of duty, participated in numerous engagements with hostile forces and by his expert marksmanship, shot down three enemy planes. In the latterperiod, despite the dangers involved, skillfully operated his fighter on offensive patrols and accounted for the destruction of two hostile aircraft. On one occasion when ten dive bombers and twelve Zero-type fighters attacked Task Force Sixty Seven, for which his four plane patrol was acting as protective cover, First Lieutenant Presley displayed superb airmanship in shooting down one bomber and contributing to the severe losses inflicted on the enemy. His relentless fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."