William Alexander Wright
Born: March 8, 1917 at Royal Oak, Michigan
Home Town: Wilmette, Illinois
Navy Cross
World War II
U.S. Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Alexander Wright, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIXTEEN (VB-16), embarked from 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. His courage, daring tactics and fearless devotion to duty were essential factors in the success of our forces and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Wright and the United States Naval Service.
