The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Guilford Neely Ross, 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 the strike on Kure Naval Base on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ross skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a dive bombing attack against major units of the enemy fleet including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy battleship in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his bomb causing heavy damage to the battleship. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.