The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Wilbur Charles Griese (NSN: 0-97033), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-SEVEN (VT-87), attached to the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Kure Area of the Inland Sea of Japan, on 24 July 1945. Encountering intense anti-aircraft fire from hostile shore batteries as he approached the target, Lieutenant Commander Griese skillfully led his four-plane division in a coordinated strike against the Japanese battleship HYUGA and, in the face of a heavy barrage of fire from the formidable enemy warship, pressed home a vigorous attack to score two direct hits on the hostile vessel. By his expert airmanship, fighting spirit and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Griese contributed materially to the success of his squadron in sinking the enemy ship and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.