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 Eugene R. Hanson, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period 16 September 1942 through 23 October 1942. On 16 September, as part of a group which launched an attack against hostile surface units off Gizo Island, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson contributed to the scoring of a torpedo hit on a Japanese cruiser. On 24 September, in company with two dive bombers, he participated in a raid against enemy destroyers which were putting troops ashore at Cape Esperance and scored one probable hit with a 500-pound bomb. On 10 October he piloted a Torpedo Plane in a striking force against two light cruisers and four destroyers about 170 miles off Guadalcanal. On 12 October, while attacking two heavy cruisers, he scored a direct hit on one of the enemy vessels. During a night attack on 23 October, he released twelve 100-pound bombs on Japanese troop concentrations to the west of our lines on Guadalcanal. Shot down by enemy gunfire during this engagement, he effected a successful crash-landing about one mile off shore, thus enabling himself and his crew to swim to a point beyond our front lines. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hanson’s outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.