The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign William Whitaker Porter (NSN: 0-413949), 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 EIGHTY-THREE (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in a carrier strike against the major units of the Japanese Fleet at Yokosuka in Tokyo Bay, on 18 July 1945. Ensign Porter skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a bombing attack on an enemy battleship. During this attack, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, he scored a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to the damage of the vessel. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.