William Henley Shawcross
Born: February 11, 1923 at Port Washington, New York
Home Town: Port Washington, New York
Navy Cross
U.S. Navy
World War II
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Henley Shawcross, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane embarked from the U.S.S. WASP (CV-18), and in action on 25 October 1944, while deployed over Samar during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Shawcross’ outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
