The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Ernest Elery Hutto, 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-THREE (VB-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in a carrier strike against major units of the Japanese fleet at Yokosuka in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on 18 July 1945. Ensign Hutto skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a dive bombing attack on an enemy battleship. During this attack, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, he scored a direct hit at the assigned aiming point, causing heavy damage to the battleship. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.