The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Charles Hurd, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in combat and meritorious conduct in offensive engagements with enemy Japanese forces as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEAL (SS-183), in action on the night of 24 February 1942, during the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters. While patrolling the Java Sea, Lieutenant Commander Hurd contacted a superior force of enemy Japanese ships and promptly attacked at close range from the surface. As a result, a large enemy vessel was destroyed by torpedo fire and the other vessels of the opposing force were seen to retire. On the same day, the SEAL closed in on a heavily screened enemy force, scoring two hits on a large convoy vessel. These successful engagements, so skillfully approached and efficiently executed, reflect great credit upon Lieutenant Commander Hurd, his command, and the United States Naval Service.