The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Richard Warren Paland, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VTB-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), during action against enemy Japanese Fleet units at Kure, Japan, 28 July 1945. Despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from heavy combat ships and shore batteries, Lieutenant Paland courageously pressed home his bombing attack to a dangerously low level and scored a direct hit on the battleship HARUNA, causing severe damage. His skillful airmanship, intrepid spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.