The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign William Russell Rogers (NSN: 0-368717), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy F6F Hellcat of Fighting Squadron SIXTEEN (VF-16), attached to the U.S.S. RANDOLPH (CV-15), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Honshu, Japan, 18 July 1945. Participating in a daring strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet at the Yokosuka Naval Base, Ensign Rogers carried out a skillful dive-bombing attack against an enemy battleship and, in the face of an intense barrage of antiaircraft fire, scored a direct hit on the vessel. By his gallant fighting spirit and skill as an airman, Ensign Rogers contributed materially to the extensive damage inflicted during the attack and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.