The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant George Emil Kemper, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane during action against enemy surface vessels in the vicinity of Formosa on 12 October 1944. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions, constant enemy fighter attacks and devastating anti-aircraft crossfire, Lieutenant Kemper brought his flight into position to make bombing runs on well-selected targets of strategic importance, securing four destructive hits. In a series of running engagements, the flight also destroyed an enemy fighter plane and damaged others. When one of the planes of his flight burst into flames and descended into the ocean, he immediately turned back and made four attempts to effect rescue. Each time he was driven off by enemy fighters, but in the meantime he succeeded in directing a rescue part to the area. Lieutenant Kemper’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant George Emil Kemper, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane, in action on 26 October 1944, during the Air Battle for Leyte Gulf. Lieutenant Kemper led a flight of planes in a torpedo attack without fighter escort on a heavy cruiser. Despite a heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire and the speedy maneuvering of the target, he not only scored a direct hit himself, but also maneuvered the flight so that there were three hits out of seven torpedoes launched, which resulted in the enemy ship’s probable sinking. Lieutenant Kemper’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.