The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Edward Charles McGowan, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron NINE (VF-9), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. Braving intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant McGowan escorted photographic planes at low altitude to protect them in the event of hostile fighter opposition and, on the completion of this duty, pressed home a low dive-bombing attack under adverse weather conditions and scored a direct hit amidships on a light cruiser, causing extensive damage and contributing to the ultimate destruction of the vessel. Following the engagement, he orbited a downed pilot in the midst of the enemy formation under continuous anti-aircraft fire from hostile destroyers until forced to leave the area by a depleted fuel supply. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant McGowan and the United States Naval Service.