The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Clifford Gould Van Stone (NSN: 0-145836), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SEVENTEEN (VB-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), while leading a division of carrier based dive bombers in an attack on an enemy Task Force comprised of a battleship, cruisers and destroyers, in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Lieutenant Van Stone dove on the battleship through extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, which severely damaged his own plane, and scored a direct hit with his bomb, contributing materially to the sinking of the vessel as a result of the attack. He returned safely to his carrier after the action despite the damaged condition of his plane. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.