The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Sheldon Olney, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VB-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Participating in a daring attack against major units of the enemy Fleet, Lieutenant Olney plunged in over the Japanese Task Force and, executing his run at perilously low altitude in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from both ship and shore batteries as well as fighter harassment, scored a direct, damaging bomb hit on an enemy aircraft carrier. His brilliant airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Olney and the United States Naval Service.