The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant [then Ensign] George Leroy Wrenn (NSN: 0-112364), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron SEVENTY-TWO (VF-72), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), during action against enemy Japanese forces near the Santa Cruz Islands, on 26 October 1942. Flying Combat Air Patrol, Lieutenant Wrenn engaged one side of a nine-plane Vee and, pressing home his attack, destroyed four enemy torpedo planes and forced a fifth to make a turn on the water, hook a wing and crash. By his bold tactics and airmanship, he contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage by our forces on heavy enemy combatant units and aircraft. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Wrenn and the United States Naval Service.