The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Wilbur Stone Deming, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces in the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 24 October 1944. Undaunted by intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Deming carried out an attack against major hostile fleet units, scoring a direct bomb hit on a Japanese battleship and contributing to the success of the mission. By his skill as an airman and devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Deming upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.