William T. Sorensen

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William T. Sorensen, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron FORTY-THREE (VP-43), Patrol Wing FOUR in the Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, during the period 10 through 20 June 1942. Ensign Sorenson made daring, repeated dive-bombing and strafing attacks on Japanese ships and four- motored patrol planes in Kiska Harbor despite severe adverse weather conditions and fire from antiaircraft and shore batteries which, on one occasion, left his plane riddled with more than 100 shrapnel holes. Ensign Sorensen’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)