William Benjamin Morton

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Benjamin Morton, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane in Composite Squadron EIGHTY-ONE (VC-81), embarked from the U.S.S. NATOMA BAY (CVE-62), while engaging a strong enemy Japanese Fleet in the Battle of Samar Island off the east coast of the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.