The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Redfield High Mattox, 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 EIGHTY-ONE (VF-81), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Tokyo Bay Area, on 17 February 1945. Skillfully and courageously fighting his plane during a fighter/bomber attack against an enemy aircraft carrier, Lieutenant Mattox braved intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct bomb hit which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.