The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] George E. McGovern, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron ONE (VT-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), during action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet in the vicinity of the Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 24 July 1945. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from numerous warships and from strategically-located shore batteries, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McGovern courageously pressed home a low-altitude glide-bombing attack against a converted hostile battleship and, although adverse weather conditions made target identification difficult, scored a direct hit which inflicted serious damage on the hostile vessel. His skill as an airman and aggressive fighting spirit were contributing factors to the success of this epic strike in which severe damage was inflicted on capital ships of the Japanese Fleet at Kure. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, McGovern’s devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.