The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Lewis Mullen (NSN: 0-306041), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VT-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the heavily-defended fleet anchorage at Kure, Japan, on 24 July 1945. Fearlessly disregarding intense anti-aircraft fire sent up from surrounding warships and shore batteries, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Mullen pressed home a vigorous coordinated attack on a carefully camouflaged aircraft carrier and, despite damage sustained by his plane during the dive, scored a direct hit on the hostile vessel and left it burning furiously. His expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.