The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Gordon Noel Owens, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron SEVENTEEN (VT-17), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Truk Atoll, Caroline islands, on 16 and 17 February 1944. Leading his squadron on daring attacks against enemy shipping and coastal installations at this strongly defended enemy base, Lieutenant Commander Owens defied intense anti-aircraft fire to press home determined attacks against hostile shipping and, by his expert airmanship and persevering efforts, succeeded in personally scoring a direct torpedo hit to sink an enemy light cruiser and, in addition, contributed to the sinking of a hostile destroyer and an 8,000-ton auxiliary vessel. By his skilled combat tactics, courage and devotion to duty throughout these hazardous operations, Lieutenant Commander Owens upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.