The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign William Henry Wagner, Jr. (NSN: 0-320818), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIXTEEN (VB-16), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. Ensign Wagner pressed a dive bombing attack on an enemy aircraft carrier and obtained a direct bomb hit in the face of enemy air opposition and extremely intense and continuous anti-aircraft fire that appreciably contributed to the sinking of that vessel. His courage, daring tactics and fearless devotion to duty were essential factors in the success of our forces and reflect the highest credit upon Ensign Wagner and the United States Naval Service.