The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander William Melvin Romberger (NSN: 0-78912), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Flight Leader in Torpedo Squadron SEVENTEEN (VT-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in an attack against major units of the enemy fleet concentrated in the Kure Bay Area of Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Skillfully leading his flight to the target area and deploying an attack in the face of extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Commander Romberger scored a direct bomb hit on an enemy destroyer. His inspiring leadership contributed materially to the success of the attack which caused damage to an enemy battleship, cruiser, aircraft carriers, destroyers and other vessels. His courage and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.