The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign William Harold Parker (NSN: 0-414306), 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 SIXTEEN (VT-16), attached to the U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Inland Sea, on 24 July 1945. Pressing home an aggressive attack against a hostile battleship-carrier in the Kure Naval Base, Ensign parker succeeded in scoring a direct hit and near misses despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, thereby contributing materially to the destruction of the hostile vessel. His skillful airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.