The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Gordon Albert Durna, United States Naval Reserve, 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 24 July 1945. Leading his division in an attack on the enemy battleship-aircraft carrier HYUGA in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ship and shore batteries which began upon the approach to the target and continued throughout the attack and retirement, Lieutenant Durna directed his group during the action which resulted in the sinking of this major unit of the Japanese Fleet. In addition, he personally scored a damaging direct 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.