The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Cloyd Dixon Rauch, Jr. (NSN: 0-95530), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Flight Leader of Bombing Fighting Squadron TEN (VBF-10), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in the air attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet including a battleship, cruisers, and destroyers, on 7 April 1945, while deployed over the East China Sea. In spite of extremely adverse weather conditions and in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Rauch skillfully maneuvered his flight into an advantageous attack position. His own and the subsequent direct hits with several probable hits and damaging near misses scored by his flight materially contributed to the sinking of the battleship immediately after the attack. His courage and skillful leadership throughout the attack were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.