The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Ralph J. Schlosser (NSN: 0-157431), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-NINE (VF-49), attached to the U.S.S. SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet anchored in Kure Harbor, Honshu, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Lieutenant Schlosser, flying as Division Leader, took off with the strike group which was directed to make an attack against the enemy naval base. Through a shroud of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Schlosser skillfully led his Division in the bombing attack against the battleship ISE, and by pressing home that attack with a very low bomb release he scored a direct hit on the bridge of the battleship. His leadership and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.