The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Hartman Alvin Soli, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron SEVEN (VF-7), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Philippine waters during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 26 October 1944. Assigned to an escort strike mission against the Japanese fleet in the Philippine Sea area, Lieutenant Soli led his division in a courageous and determined attack, scoring two hits and strafing the decks of an enemy cruiser. His audacious attack, pressed home to low altitude in the face of vicious and heavy anti-aircraft fire from numerous other units of the enemy fleet, so diverted fire to himself that the planes following him in the attack were able to complete their mission effectively His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.