The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] William Bruce Oliver, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN (VPB-117), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the enemy air base on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 12 October 1944. Intercepted by enemy fighters while accompanying another bomber in a search for survivors of a downed squadron plane, Lieutenant Commander Oliver tenaciously continued toward his objective to complete his sweep under fierce fighter attack and, withdrawing, aided in the destruction of six of the eight opposing craft. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Oliver and the United States Naval Service.