LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WILLIAM WEBB PATTERSON (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade), United States Naval Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron NINE, attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN, in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, April 7, 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.

LCDR Patterson resides in Gaithersburg, MD and is a life member.