The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Edward Stitt Burns, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. HOWORTH (DD-592), in action against enemy Japanese forces while engaged in Transport Screening Operations off Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, from 1 to 6 April 1945. Maintaining a constant vigil by day and by night, Commander Burns held his ship and her company at the peak of combat readiness and conducted the operations of his command with unfaltering skill and determination as he repeatedly drove off attacking enemy aircraft to provide effective protection for our transports during the assault and occupation of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. Subjected to an extremely heavy aerial assault on 6 April, he met the challenge of viciously diving kamikaze planes with the ready fire of his powerful gun batteries, splashing one suicide diver in flames and shooting down a second close aboard. When eight Japanese planes plunged in coordinated suicide attack against his ship, he maneuvered radically at high speed and delivered a tremendous volume of fire from all guns to destroy four additional enemy planes before a fifth succeeded in crashing the HOWORTH. Instantly initiating damage control measures, Commander Burns quickly minimized the damage to his gallant vessel and returned her safe to port. His indomitable leadership, superb ship handling and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds throughout an extended period of intensive operations were important factors in the success of the Okinawa Operation and reflect the highest credit upon Commander Burns and upon the United States Naval Service.