The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jerry Barnes Wilton (NSN: 0-278292), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron NINETEEN (VB-19) attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wilton pressed home a dive bombing attack on an enemy aircraft carrier and obtained a direct bomb hit in the face of enemy air opposition and extremely intense and continuous anti-aircraft fire that appreciably contributed to the sinking of same. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.