The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Melvin James Munson, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Kure, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Participating in a coordinated dive-bombing strike on a new enemy battleship and its destroyer-cruiser screen near a hostile Naval base, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Munson dived through an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire to press home a determined attack and score repeated hits and near misses which contributed materially to the damage inflicted on the Japanese ship. His outstanding airmanship and devotion to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.