The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John Randolph Bowen, II (NSN: 0-84329), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Bomber and Flight Leader, in action on 28 July 1945, in a bombing strike against enemy warships and installations in and about the Kure Naval Base, Honshu, Japan. As Flight Leader Lieutenant Bowen pressed his attack with coolness and disregard of extreme personal danger. The attack was carried to a low level despite heavy, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from heavily armed units of the enemy fleet and gun installations about the harbor, which resulted in three direct hits and three near misses on a Japanese Cruiser. He personally scored two direct hits and two near misses on the said cruiser, resulting in severe damage to same. His initiative, leadership, courage, and disregard for personal safety and determination to inflict damage upon the enemy in the execution of this mission were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.