The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] William Plannette MacLean, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in in Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), Air Group ONE (AG-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CVL-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Mariana Islands, during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Flying at extreme range from base to participate in a daring strike on a hostile aircraft carrier, Lieutenant MacLean fought his plane gallantly against enemy intercepting aircraft and, going in low despite the intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, launched a brilliantly executed dive-bombing attack which resulted in the scoring of three direct and two probable hits on the enemy warship. With his fuel nearly exhausted, he succeeded in making a safe night carrier landing under the most hazardous conditions. His great personal valor and aggressive fighting spirit in the fulfillment of a dangerous mission reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant MacLean and the United States Naval Service.