The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade George Allen Gluntz (NSN: 0-320801), 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 NINETY-FOUR (VB-94), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), during action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet in the Inland Sea, Kure, Japan, on 28 July 1945. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire from both land and Naval batteries, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Gluntz pressed home his attack on a hostile battleship and, scoring a direct hit at the water-line on the port beam with a 1,000-pound bomb which fused to explode 25-feet under water, caused a mining blast on the target. By his courage, airmanship and devotion to duty, he contributed materially to the success of his squadron and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.