The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Melvin Reed Carter, 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 EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea, 7 April 1945. Participating in the initial strike against a hostile Task Force, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Carter pressed home a determined attack on a screening destroyer and then climbed for altitude to repeat the strike on another large destroyer. Through his skilled tactics, he scored a direct hit which contributed materially to the sinking of a Japanese battleship, heavy cruiser, light cruiser and three destroyers. His outstanding airmanship and devotion to the fulfillment of a perilous assignment were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navel Service.