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 [then Ensign] Kenneth Bryan Horton, 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 FIFTEEN (VT-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands, on 5 November 1944. Striking against enemy shipping in the face of extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Horton pressed home a vigorous attack to obtain a damaging torpedo hit on a hostile heavy cruiser and leave it in a sinking condition. By his courage, expert airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Horton contributed materially to the success of our operations against the Japanese and 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 the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Kenneth Bryan Horton, 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 FIFTEEN (VT-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against the enemy Japanese Fleet, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 25 October 1944. Despite airborne opposition and intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Horton pressed his torpedo attack at close range to score a hit on a hostile carrier which resulted in its sinking. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.