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 Bruce Lawrence Harwood (NSN: 0-75196), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-8), in the Guadalcanal Area during the period from 20 September to 5 October 1942. Leading an attack group of bombers in the face of adverse flying conditions, Lieutenant Harwood located a force of enemy destroyers proceeding to land troops and supplies on Guadalcanal. Despite violent maneuvering by the enemy, he and his men scored at least one and probably more hits on the Japanese ships. On 4 October he led another attack group of Torpedo Planes against an enemy force of a light cruiser and three destroyers. In spite of bad visibility, and in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he pressed home the attack, scoring two positive, and one possible hit on the cruiser. The following night he and his bombers again sought out the enemy and, flying on instruments through violent tropical storms to Rekata Bay, bombed the shore installations at that point, in spite of fierce opposition by Japanese fighter planes which rushed to the attack. Lieutenant Harwood’s outstanding courage and intrepid leadership contributed to the high morale of his squadron and to the successful defense of our base on Guadalcanal.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Bruce Lawrence Harwood (NSN: 0-75196), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign on 24 August 1942. Leading his squadron in an unsupported aerial torpedo raid against a Japanese task force, Lieutenant Harwood pressed home his attack through a bursting hail of fire from hostile anti-aircraft batteries. He contributed to the relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage which enabled his squadron to score one certain hit and two estimated hits on an enemy aircraft carrier. His superb airmanship and unyielding devotion to duty aided greatly in the defeat of a persistent foe and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.