The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade William Henley Shawcross, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron FOURTEEN (VT-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), and in action on 25 October 1944, while deployed over Samar during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Shawcross piloted his carrier-based torpedo plane on a successful bombing attack against a powerful force of Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. In spite of the extremely intense anti-aircraft fire from the disposition, he pressed home his attack to the minimum practical altitude and scored two hits on an enemy heavy cruiser which left it smoking heavily. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.