The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Clarence Alvin Borley (NSN: 0-325881), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces while assigned to a fighter sweep mission against enemy aircraft in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. Although greatly outnumbered by enemy aircraft, Ensign Borley, with great determination and skill, attacked and destroyed two enemy fighter airplanes and aided materially in the destruction of several others in aerial combat. He was later shot down by anti-aircraft fire during the same flight, while strafing anti-aircraft positions located near an airfield. Forced to land in the water, he was able to successfully evade capture by the enemy and he was later rescued by friendly forces. During this time in the water, while in his life jacket, he killed two of the enemy in a sampan who were attempting to capture him. His coolness, heroism, courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service.