The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant William Stephen Ellis, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), which was striking the Japanese home islands in the vicinity of Kobe, Japan, on 19 March 1945. When the FRANKLIN was struck by enemy bombs which caused tremendous fires and explosions among a large number of fully armed and fueled planes both on the flight deck and in the hangar, Lieutenant Ellis led others into smoke and fire-gutted spaces below decks and succeeded in keeping certain auxiliary power plants in operation so that the ship was able to get underway. The conduct of Lieutenant Ellis throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.