The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Kenneth Gordon Richards (NSN: 0-314398), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron FORTY-NINE (VT-49), embarked from the SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), in the aerial attack on major Japanese combatant shipping at the strongly-defended Kure Naval Base in Southwestern Honshu, Japan, on 28 July 1945. In the face of continuing intense and accurate Anti-Aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Richards skillfully maneuvered his plane into position, and dropped his bombs on a heavy cruiser, and scored a direct centerline hit which contributed materially to the disabling of the vessel in that action. His persistence and skill were at all times inspiring and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.