The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Mercer Lee Jackson, Jr. (NSN: 0-314897), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron NINETEEN (VT-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Sea on 25 October 1944. Participating in a torpedo attack against major elements of a hostile Task Force, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Jackson braved intense anti-aircraft fire to press home a vigorous attack on an enemy aircraft carrier and succeeded in scoring a direct torpedo hit, thereby contributing materially to the subsequent sinking of the ship. Although his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, he skillfully maneuvered his plane on recovery and returned his plane and aircrewmen safe to his carrier. His airmanship, skill and courageous devotion to duty in the face of hostile opposition reflect great credit on Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Jackson and the United States Naval Service.