The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Edward White Overton, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15, attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 19 June 1944. Engaging the outnumbering enemy aerial groups closing our surface forces, Lieutenant Commander Overton pressed home his attacks and, skillfully maneuvering his plane in the face of intense enemy opposition, shot down two enemy fighters, an enemy dive bomber, probably destroyed two more enemy fighters and assisted in destroying, damaging or dispersing the remainder although his fuel tank was on fire and his plane badly damaged. Promptly assuming command when the squadron commander failed to return, he rendezvoused the remainder of our planes and then elected to stay in the area until darkness in order to search for missing pilots despite the proximity of an enemy airfield and the constant threat from hostile anti-aircraft fire. By his superb airmanship, fighting spirit and devotion to duty, he contributed essentially to the defense of our forces in the area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.