The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Ralph Norman Jacobsen, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter-Bomber 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. Participating in an attack against major units of the enemy Task force during hazardous weather conditions, Lieutenant Jacobsen braved intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct bomb hit on a YAMATO Class battleship, thereby contributing materially to her sinking. His steadfast courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Jacobsen and the United States Naval Service.