The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Warren Roderick Omark, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-FOUR (VT-24), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against major units of the Japanese fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. When separated from other planes of his division, Lieutenant Omark boldly executed a single-handed attack on an enemy aircraft carrier task group. Although forced to fly through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from a protecting enemy battleship to complete the run on his target, he skillfully launched his torpedo at low altitude and close range, inflicting a direct hit on one large enemy carrier and contributing to the sinking of this vital ship. Quickly retiring from the area, he directed a steady stream of fire from his turret and tunnel guns upon the pursuing enemy aircraft, driving off his aggressors and escaping to safety before his fuel became exhausted. An aggressive and fearless fighter, Lieutenant Omark, by his airmanship, courage and devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.