The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Kenneth M. Willett, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Commanding Officer of the United States Navy Armed Guard aboard the S.S. STEPHEN HOPKINS during action with unidentified enemy forces while en route from Capetown to Paramaribo, on 27 September 1942. In an attack launched by the enemy, and with no friendly ship in sight, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Willett promptly manned his station at the 4-inch gun as the first shell struck, and opened fire on the most heavily armed of the two enemy raiders. Although seriously wounded in the stomach almost immediately, he kept up a sustained and rapid fire at close range, hitting his target along the water line with most of the 35 shells fired. Because of his great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice, he was able to maintain a determined and heroic defense of his ship until forced by a magazine explosion to cease his fire. Still refusing to give up, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Willett, obviously weakened and suffering, went down on deck and was last seen helping to cast loose the life rafts in a desperate effort to save the lives of others. The Stephen Hopkins was shelled repeatedly from stem to stern, but before she plunged stern first, wrecked and blazing into the sea, her guns had inflicted serious damage on both enemy raiders and caused the probable destruction of one of them. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.