The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Edward R. Sellstrom, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy forces in the Pacific War Area when his ship was attacked by eighteen Japanese bombing planes on 20 February 1942. Ensign Sellstrom intercepted an enemy four-engine bomber, and after a determined pursuit through clouds and rain, he assisted in shooting down this enemy plane despite combined machine gun and cannon fire. Later the same day, during an attack directed at his carrier by nine enemy bombers, he intercepted and attacked a formation of the enemy aircraft, and as a result of his skillful marksmanship and courage, and again, despite the enemy machine gun and cannon fire, he shot down one enemy bomber. Ensign Selstrom’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.