The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Thomas Halliday Stetson (NSN: 0-98774), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron NINE (VT-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Lieutenant Stetson led six unescorted planes in an attack of exceptional daring against the Japanese battleship YAMATO and four screening destroyers. Flying on instruments through a solid overcast, he executed an extremely difficult approach and broke through the clouds in position to lead his formation on a perfect torpedo run at point-blank range. His own torpedo struck the battleship squarely amidships, and contributed materially to its destruction by explosion a few minutes later. During the retirement, he was forced to fly through a cross-fire of intense anti-aircraft fire from enemy warships, but by superior airmanship brought his plane and crew safely through. Throughout the attack, his daring leadership and his utter disregard for personal safety were inspiring to his men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.