The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Donald Lawrence Wilson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN (VB-18), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 24 October 1944. as Pilot of a carrier-based dive bomber, Lieutenant Wilson participated in an attack which contributed materially to the annihilation of an enemy Battle Task Force. He scored a confirmed hit on a rapidly-maneuvering battleship, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. The action, in which he was an integral part, successfully accomplished in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft barrages, removed a serious threat to our ground forces in the Philippine Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.