The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Richard Henry Langdon, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kyushu, Japan, on 7 April 1945. Courageously piloting his plane against a Japanese Task Force, including cruisers, destroyers and a battleship, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Langdon braved intense anti-aircraft fire to press home his attack on an enemy cruiser and, scoring a direct bomb hit, contributed materially to the sinking of the hostile warship immediately after the attack. His skill, courage and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.