The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Francis Gerald Mulvihill (NSN: 0-114406), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader in Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 24 July 1944. Despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from ship and shore batteries, Lieutenant Commander Mulvihill led his squadron through a 6,000-foot cloud layer covering the target to a hazardously low altitude, personally scoring a direct hit on an enemy battleship. By his skillful airmanship and courage, Lieutenant Commander Mulvihill contributed materially to the success of the operation, and his unwavering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.