The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Wiley Thomas Williams, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron FOURTEEN (VT-14), attached to the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against major units of the Japanese fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant Williams piloted his carrier-based torpedo plane in a successful attack on six Japanese Fleet Tankers and accompanying destroyers, thereby striking a crippling blow at the enemy. In spite of the presence of hostile fighters and intense anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home his bombing and strafing attack to a minimum altitude and scored two direct hits on a very large fleet tanker which caused tremendous fires and explosions and contributed heavily to the loss of the ship. His skill and airmanship enabled him to pilot his plane back to a friendly disposition where he made a water landing and was picked up together with his crew by a friendly destroyer. His courage and skill at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.