The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Floyd Elmer McCracken, 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 SIXTEEN (VB-16), attached to the U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Inland Sea of Japan, on 24 July 1945. Skillfully maneuvering his plane in a dive-bombing attack against an enemy battleship, ensign McCracken pressed home his attack in the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire and succeeded in scoring a direct bomb hit on the target. By his courage and determination in the completion of this mission, he contributed materially to the subsequent sinking of the warship. Ensign McCracken’s airmanship throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.