Nils Anders Adelsten Carlson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Nils Anders Adelsten Carlson (o-325620), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VB-83), embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet at Yokosuka, Tokyo Bay, Japan, on 18 July 1945. Skillfully maneuvering his aircraft in a dive-bombing attack on an enemy battleship, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Carlson pressed home his attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and scored a direct bomb hit on the target, thereby contributing materially to the infliction of damage on the warship. His airmanship, courage and determination throughout the attack were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 01702 (September 3, 1945)