The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Lee Roy Thompson (NSN: 0-351004), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron TEN (VBF-10), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in the Fleet action in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Ensign Thompson skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft under adverse weather conditions in a bombing attack against major units of a Task Force of the enemy Fleet including a battleship, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked an enemy cruiser, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, scoring a direct hit with his bomb which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.