The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant William Hugh Harris, Jr. (NSN: 0-102407), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Section Leader in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VBF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Yokosuka, in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on 18 July 1945. Piloting his craft in a vigorous strike at major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Harris boldly pressed home a bombing attack against an enemy battleship, plunging through intensive anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit upon the assigned target. A skilled and daring airman, he rendered valiant service throughout a vital mission and, by his expert tactics and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, contributed materially to the damaging of a powerful enemy warship. His heroic conduct reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Harris and the United States Naval Service.