The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Walter Middlesworth Downs, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at Kure Naval Base in Japan, on 28 July 1945. Flying through intense anti-aircraft fire from numerous warships and from strategically-placed shore batteries, Ensign Downs courageously carried out a low-altitude bombing attack against an ISE Class battleship, scoring one direct hit and inflicting extensive damage on the hostile vessel. Recovering from the run well under 1,000 feet, he flew close aboard two large enemy carriers to permit his gunner-photographer to obtain damage assessment photographs. By his skill as an airman and aggressive fighting spirit, Ensign Downs contributed to the success of an epic strike in which all capital ships of the Japanese Fleet at Kure were either damaged or sunk. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.