The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Hatherly Foster, III, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Composite Squadron NINETY-THREE (VC-92), embarked in U.S.S. Petrof Bay (CVE-80), in action against the enemy while flying a combat air patrol in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto, Japanese Empire, on 12 April 1945. During a heavy enemy air attack on our shipping, he displayed vigorous initiative and utter disregard for his own safety while shooting down three enemy planes. With determination and utmost courage, he pursued each of two planes in dives directly into intense anti-aircraft fire. By destroying these two planes he undoubtedly saved two of our ships. His skillful intervention enabled him to destroy the other plane before it attacked our ships. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Foster’s conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.