The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Leo Edmund Kennedy, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy PB4Y-2 Patrol Plane in Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINE (VPB-109), in action against enemy Japanese forces off Southern Chosen, on 27 May 1945. Searching the many islands off the coast for hostile shipping targets in a special strike, Lieutenant Kennedy resolutely pressed home repeated attacks at masthead height against eight merchant vessels during ninety minutes of furious and relentless combat, bombing and strafing the enemy ships until he had destroyed a 2,000-ton freighter and three small freighters, seriously damaged three others and blasted a large motor schooner. Sighting two enemy destroyers as he returned to base, short of fuel and ammunition, he immediately plunged through intense anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit on one of the warships, sending it to the bottom with its bow blown off to the first turret. Lieutenant Kennedy’s brilliant airmanship, fearless determination and indomitable fighting spirit were essential factors in the gradual destruction of the enemy’s means of waging war and his gallant devotion to duty despite grave risks sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.