The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Walton Anderson Austin (NSN: 0-84190), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. On 4 May he participated in dive bombing attacks on enemy in Tulagi Harbor which resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy vessels. On 7 May he took part in a dive bombing attack on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea which resulted in sinking of that vessel. On 8 May, while on anti-torpedo plane patrol he fiercely engaged enemy bombing and torpedo planes heavily supported by fighters which attacked our forces. The attacks on 4 and 7 May, were pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and with no regard for personal safety. His gallant conduct greatly contributed to the success of our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea.