The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Stockton Birney Strong (NSN: 0-78831), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane and Commanding Officer of Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VBF-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), in action against enemy Japanese forced while deployed over Kure, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Leading a Task Group strike in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, Commander Strong dived to an extremely low altitude to score a direct hit on an enemy cruiser, contributing materially to the severe damaging inflicted on the vessel. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with 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 Stockton Birney Strong (NSN: 0-78831), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Section Leader in Scouting Squadron TEN (VS-10), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the engagement with enemy Japanese naval and air forces near the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. Intercepting a radio report which gave the location of enemy carriers in a sector widely separated from his own, Lieutenant Strong, instead of returning to his carrier as the normal call of duty required, continued toward the enemy ships, knowing full well that he would meet with overwhelming numbers of Japanese fighters and that he might run out of fuel. In attaining position he eluded the enemy fighters and dived toward a large Japanese carrier of the SHOKAKU class, scoring a direct hit on the flight deck. During their retirement, while Lieutenant Commander Strong and his comrades fought off repeated attacks by enemy aircraft, sending one down in flames, he transmitted a complete radio report of his action and then led his men safely back to their carrier. Lieutenant Strong’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Stockton Birney Strong (NSN: 0-78831), 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 at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. Participating in offensive action against the enemy with aggressive skill and courageous determination, in the face of tremendous anti-aircraft barrage, Lieutenant Strong contributed materially to the sinking or damaging of eight enemy vessels in Tulagi Harbor on 4 May, and to the sinking of an enemy aircraft carrier in the Coral Sea on 7 May. Again, on 8 May, while on anti-torpedo plane patrol, he fiercely engaged the combined attack of enemy bombing and torpedo planes and their heavy fighter support. His conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.