The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Corwin Franklin Morgan, 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 EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign on 24 August 1942. In company with another plane, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Morgan, defying terrific fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries and Japanese Zeros, launched a vigorous and determined attack which scored a direct hit on an enemy cruiser. By his relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage he contributed materially to the defeat of a Japanese task force. His persistent devotion to duty, maintained at great risk in the face of grave peril, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.