The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Mortimer Knobles, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the Inland Sea, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Fearlessly disregarding intense anti-aircraft fire sent up from enemy warships and shore batteries, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Knobles pressed home a vigorous attack against a hostile battleship to score a direct hit and contribute materially to the extensive damage inflicted on the enemy vessel. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.