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, Junior Grade Ray Joseph Stacy (NSN: 0-251446), 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 NINETEEN (VT-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during offensive air operations against enemy shipping on 5 November 1944, in Manila Bay on the Island of Luzon, of the Philippine Group. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stacy skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a torpedo attack against a major unit of the Japanese Fleet. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home his attack to close range and secured a direct torpedo hit on the enemy heavy cruiser. His skill and courage were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Ray Joseph Stacy (NSN: 0-251446), 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 NINETEEN (VT-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Stacy skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a torpedo attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy Fleet including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy aircraft carrier in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his torpedo which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.