The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Wallace Clark Short, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. Lieutenant Short pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on three Japanese aircraft tenders or transports and obtained a direct hit on one of the enemy vessels. By his superb airmanship and outstanding courage he contributed to the destruction of the three enemy ships and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Wallace Clark Short, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FIVE (VB-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. Lieutenant Commander Short led his squadron in vigorous and determined dive-bombing attacks delivered in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and opposed as well by enemy Japanese fighters on 8 May, with the resultant sinking of one enemy carrier and other enemy vessels. Lieutenant Commander Short’s distinctive leadership and the aggressive spirit displayed by the men in his squadron were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.