The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Ralph Randolph Budd, 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 action against major units of the Japanese Fleet at the heavily-defended Kure Naval Base, on 24 July 1945. Flying through intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire from numerous enemy warships and strategically located shore batteries which brought to bear on his plane during the entire bombing run and retirement, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Budd coolly singled out a converted battleship despite unfavorable weather which made target identification difficult and, pressing home a daring glide-bombing attack to low altitude, scored a direct hit on the hostile warship. By his gallant fighting spirit, he contributed materially to the success of a coordinated attack in which several capital ships of the Japanese Navy were severely damaged. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Budd’s unswerving devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.