The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant William Walter Timmis, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-SEVEN (VB-87), attached to the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces during an attack on the Japanese battleship-aircraft carrier HYUGA, on 24 July 1945, in the vicinity of Kure Harbor, in the Inland Sea of Japan. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire of all types, which took the attacking planes under fire in the approach to the target and continued in intensity throughout the attack and retirement, Lieutenant Timmis skillfully and courageously pressed home his bombing run, making a severely damaging direct hit with a one thousand pound bomb, which contributed materially to the sinking of this major enemy fleet unit. His superb airmanship and his brave disregard for his own personal safety in the carrying out of this highly important mission were at all times inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.