The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Kenneth Charles Hall, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader of Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 24 July 1945. In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire from several warships and strategically-located shore batteries which hit and damaged his plane, Lieutenant Hall courageously led his Division in a dive-bombing attack against an ISE Class battleship to score multiple hits and inflict extensive damage on the hostile vessel. Although his own plane was damaged, he pressed home his attack to low-altitude and succeeded in scoring one direct hit on the enemy warship. By his airmanship and aggressive fighting spirit, Lieutenant Hall contributed materially to the success of an epic strike in which all capital ships of the Japanese Fleet in Kure were sunk or damaged. His 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 Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Kenneth Charles Hall, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber and Division Leader of Bombing Squadron ONE (VB-1), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet at the heavily-defended Kure Naval Base, Japan, on 28 July 1945. After a long flight over the home island of Shikoku and the closely-guarded waters of the Inland Sea, Lieutenant Hall coolly positioned his planes for an attack on an enemy battleship and, leading them in a dive to low altitude in the face of intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire from a dozen major warships, scored a direct hit on the hostile dreadnaught. By his unwavering leadership and timing, he contributed directly to the success of the other planes in his flight in scoring multiple hits on the vessel. Lieutenant Hall’s gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.