Melvin Reed Carter

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Melvin Reed Carter, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea, 7 April 1945. Participating in the initial strike against a hostile Task Force, Ensign Carter pressed home a determined attack on a screening destroyer and then climbed for altitude to repeat the strike on another large destroyer. Through his skilled tactics, he scored a direct hit which contributed materially to the sinking of a Japanese battleship, heavy cruiser, light cruiser and three destroyers. His outstanding airmanship and devotion to the fulfillment of a perilous assignment were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navel Service.