The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Robert May, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter-Bomber airplane in Fighting Bombing Squadron NINE (VBF-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, West of Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Participating in a bombing mission against a strong enemy force despite adverse weather conditions, Ensign May pressed home a determined attack in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the batteries of a battleship, a cruiser and several destroyers to release his bomb at the minimum altitude and score a direct hit on the cruiser, thereby contributing to the sinking of the vessel. His gallant fighting spirit, expert airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.