William Webb Patterson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Webb Patterson, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron NINE (VT-9), attached to the U.S.S. SHAMROCK BAY (CVE-84), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, 7 April 1945. Flying by instruments through a heavy overcast in a daring attack against a hostile light cruiser and screening destroyer, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Patterson broke through the clouds and pressed home his attack to point-blank range in the face of intense antiaircraft fire to score a direct hit and contribute materially to the sinking of the cruiser a minute later. Subjected to intense antiaircraft fire from the cruiser and destroyer during his retirement from the strike, he brought his plane and crew through unscathed. By his superior airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Patterson upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.