The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign William Herbert Shrauger (NSN: 0-351718), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VT-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in the Fleet action in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Ensign Shrauger skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a low-level coordinated torpedo attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy fleet including a battleship, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked the enemy battleship, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his torpedo to contribute materially to the sinking of the vessel. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.