LIEUNTENANT, JUNIOR GRADE, WILLIAM CLAYTON RAPOSA, UNITED STATES NAVY. (Gold Star in lieu of the Second Navy Cross). “For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron NINETY FOUR, attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of Kure Harbor, Honshu, Japan, on July 28, 1945. Diving through intense antiaircraft fire from the many shore installations and from hulks in the harbor, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, (then Ensign) Raposa pressed home his attack on the heavy cruiser AOBA and scored two direct hits which contributed materially to the final destruction of this vessel. His skilled airmanship and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

View captain Raposa’s first Navy Cross.

Capt. Raposa died on March 7, 2015 in Springfield, VA.