The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Hugh Holladay Dunkum, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-SEVEN (VB-87), attached to the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CV-14), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kure, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Leading his division in an attack on the Japanese heavy cruiser TONE in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ship and shore batteries before, during and after the attack, Lieutenant Dunkum skillfully directed his group in the action which resulted in the beaching of this major enemy Fleet unit. In addition, he personally scored a damaging hit with a 1,000-pound bomb. His inspiring leadership and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.