Albert Tavel Walraven, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Albert Tavel Walraven, Jr., Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN (VB-14), embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), in action against the enemy fleet in the vicinity of the East Philippine Sea on 20 June 1944. Participating in a daring strike upon the enemy Fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walraven braved intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and the presence of enemy fighter aircraft to press home his low-level attacks and to score direct hits on an enemy vessel. When his fuel supply became exhausted during the hazardous return trip to base in complete darkness, he skillfully executed a water landing without injury to himself or to his air crewman and successfully abandoned the sinking plane with sufficient equipment to enable the party to survive until rescued. By his brilliant airmanship, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Walraven contributed materially to the success of our operations in this historic engagement, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.