The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Albert Edward Martin, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINE (VF-9), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action on 11 November 1943, during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Rabaul harbor, New Britain, on 11 November 1943. Leading a section of fighter planes assigned to bomber escort during an attack on shipping in Rabaul Harbor, Lieutenant Martin was diverted from the original mission when a strong Japanese air attack on our Task Force developed shortly after the take-off. Ordered to intercept the enemy planes, he led his formation against the oncoming Japanese and, disregarding the heavy barrage of anti-aircraft fire from our own surface vessels, repeatedly engaged the enemy in close combat and succeeded in blasting from the sky two torpedo planes and two dive bombers. By his leadership, skill and aggressiveness, Lieutenant Martin contributed materially to the defense of our Task force. His conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.