The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade David William Ludwig, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron SIX (VBF-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in the attack on major units of the Japanese fleet in Kure Harbor, Japan, consisting of battleships, carriers and heavy cruisers, on 24 July 1945. Displaying outstanding courage and skill, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ludwig made a bombing run on an enemy battleship despite intense and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy ship and shore batteries, and scored a direct hit with a 1,000-pound bomb, thereby contributing materially to sinking the vessel. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Ludwig’s airmanship and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.