The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Bill Al Miles (NSN: 0-78959), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Leader of a Flight of Torpedo Planes in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-SEVEN (VT-87), attached to the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces during a strike on the battleship-carrier HYUGA, in the Kure Area of the Inland Sea of Japan, on 24 July 1945. Skillfully leading his flight in a coordinated attack on the hostile vessel in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, Commander Miles personally scored a direct bomb hit on the target and contributed materially to the success of his flight in scoring sixteen additional direct bomb hits and twenty damaging near misses. By his unfaltering leadership and courage under fire, Commander Miles aided immeasurably in sinking this enemy warship. His superb airmanship throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.