The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Donald Fulton, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Section Leader in Torpedo Squadron NINE (VT-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Flying by instruments through a heavy overcast in a brilliant torpedo attack against an enemy light cruiser,, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fulton broke through the clouds and led his section through intense anti-aircraft fire to point-blank range before releasing his bomb and scoring a direct hit on the vessel, thereby contributing materially to the sinking of the cruiser a minute later. Subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire from the cruiser and escorting destroyer while retiring from the strike, he skillfully brought his plane and crew through unscathed. By his superior airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fulton upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.