The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Francis Earl Hedges (NSN: 0-315565), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Bombing Plane and Division Leader in Torpedo Bombing Squadron THIRTY (VTB-30), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Courageously leading his Division in a furious bombing run against major combatant units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hedges fought his plane with determined aggressiveness and, pressing the attack to a perilously low level despite terrific hostile anti-aircraft fire from surface vessels and from numerous nearby shore batteries, succeeded in scoring two direct hits and possibly a third on a new type Japanese light cruiser. By his skilled and daring combat tactics, he inflicted severe damage on an enemy warship and his heroic conduct throughout was a contributing factor in the ultimate success of a hazardous and vital mission. His cool courage, brilliant airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hedges and the United States Naval Service.