The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Wesley Myron Hays, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter-Bomber and Division Leader in Bombing Fighting Squadron TEN (VBF-10), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea on 7 April 1945. Leading his Division in an attack against major units of an enemy Task Force during hazardous weather conditions, Lieutenant Hays personally braved intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct damaging hit with his bomb on an OYODO Class cruiser, thereby contributing materially to her sinking. His steadfast courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Hays and the United States Naval Service.