The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Frank Arthur Kopf, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Bombing Squadron ONE (VBF-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet, including aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers at the Kure Naval Base on 24 July 1945. Undaunted by intense anti-aircraft fire of all calibers, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Kopf carried out a determined low-altitude attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet, personally scoring a direct hit to assist in damaging an enemy battleship. When his flight was attacked by a strong force of hostile fighters, he boldly supported his team in fighting off the enemy despite damage to his plane, thereby contributing materially to the safe return of our escorted planes and to the success of the mission. By his skill as an airman and devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade Kopf upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.