The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Paul A. DeMarco (NSN: 0-403010), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in an attack on 24 July 1945, against major units of the enemy fleet at the strongly fortified Kure Naval Base. In spite of the course of his bombing run and retirement being at all times within the range of the guns of battleships, cruisers, carriers and destroyers which were in the vicinity, and within the range of shore based batteries of heavy and medium caliber, and although unfavorable weather made target identification difficult he pressed home through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, a daring glide bombing attack to low altitude to score a direct hit upon a camouflaged large aircraft carrier. He thereby contributed to the success of the coordinated attack which damaged several capital ships of the Japanese Navy at Kure. His courage, his determination and his professional skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.