The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Owen Payne (NSN: 0-337750), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VBF-85), attached to the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), during a strike at enemy Japanese Naval Forces, near Kure Harbor, Honshu, Japan, on 28 July 1945. Displaying great daring and airmanship despite intense and extremely accurate anti-aircraft fire from enemy ship and shore installations, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Payne pressed home his attack and scored a direct hit with a 1,000-pound bomb on the enemy battleship, HARUNA. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Payne’s courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.