The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Lucas Jasper Nelson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CVL-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Flying at extreme range from base to participate in a daring strike on a hostile aircraft carrier, Lieutenant Nelson fought his plane gallantly against enemy intercepting aircraft and, going in low despite the intense hostile anti-aircraft fire, launched a brilliantly executed dive-bombing attack which resulted in the scoring of three direct and two probable hits on the enemy warship. With his fuel exhausted, he succeeded in making a safe water landing at night and was later rescued by a friendly destroyer. His great personal valor and aggressive fighting spirit in the fulfillment of a hazardous mission reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Nelson and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Lucas Jasper Nelson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader in Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CVL-10), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 28 July 1945. When intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire imperiled his division before it could launch its attack, Lieutenant Nelson rapidly initiated new tactics which enabled the pilots of his division to score hits and inflict extensive damage on an ISE class battleship. He personally pressed home an aggressive attack to obtain a direct hit on the warship. By his skill as an airman and aggressive fighting spirit, Lieutenant Nelson contributed materially to the success of his squadron in an epic strike in which all capital ships of the Japanese Fleet at Kure were either sunk or damaged. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.