The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Harold G. Schlendering (MCSN: 0-7143), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as a Pilot in Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VMSB-241), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 and 5 June 1942. During the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, First Lieutenant Schlendering, then Second Lieutenant, in the face of withering fire from Japanese fighter guns and anti-aircraft batteries, dived his plane to a dangerously low altitude before releasing his bomb. Wounded in the leg, he returned to a point within sight distance of his base, then was compelled to bail out over the sea. His courageous devotion to duty and extreme disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.