The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant George Edward Ferguson (NSN: 0-145846), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against Japanese forces at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on 18 July 1945. Given the lead of his and other attacking groups of dive bombers and fighters after taking off from his base on a mission against major units of the Japanese Fleet, including a battleship, many destroyers and other warships, Lieutenant Ferguson skillfully led the entire flight through devastating anti-aircraft fire both from enemy warships in the harbor and the many batteries on shore in a successful attack which resulted in extensive damage to the battleship. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant George Edward Ferguson (NSN: 0-145846), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against Japanese forces in Kure Harbor, Japan, on 28 July 1945. During an attack on major units of the Japanese Fleet, including battleships, aircraft carriers and cruisers, Lieutenant Ferguson skillfully piloted his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire both from the enemy warships in the harbor and the many gun emplacements on the shore to score a direct bomb hit on the battleship assigned him as a target. By his skillful airmanship and courage, Lieutenant Ferguson contributed materially to the heavy damage done this warship and to its ultimate sinking. His outstanding devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.