Hugh Nash Batten

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hugh Nash Batten (0-326456), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, 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), embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against the enemy on Combat Air Patrol over our Task Force operating in the vicinity of Okinawa on 6 April 1945. During this flight Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Batten initiated an attack against nine enemy fighters and shot down four of them. His courage and skill in pressing home an attack against forces greatly superior in number was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0960 (July 6, 1945)