The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Richard Sanford Ploss, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron NINE (VB-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in the fleet engagement in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. During this action, heavy units of the enemy Task Group were sunk. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ploss skillfully and courageously piloted his plane in a shallow-angle glide-bombing attack to secure direct hits amidships on a cruiser. Despite the intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire that caused major damage to his plane early in his dive, he pressed home his attack with complete disregard for his own safety and aided materially in the sinking of the vessel. His devotion to duty and courage under fire were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.