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 Hayden Martin Jensen, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIVE (VF-5), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Campaign, on 24 August 1942. Intercepting a division of enemy bombers as they peeled off in a determined dive for our surface units, Lieutenant Jensen, grimly trailing them down with persistent fire, shot three into the sea before they could release their bombs, and damaged a fourth. By his relentless fighting spirit and aggressive courage he saved one of our aircraft carriers from possible bomb hits and contributed greatly toward demoralization of the entire Japanese offensive. His superb airmanship and unyielding devotion to duty, maintained with complete disregard for his own personal safety, 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 Hayden Martin Jensen, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and leader of the Sixth Division, Fighting Squadron FIVE (VF-5), attached to the U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-3), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Upon sighting a hostile force of eleven dive bombers intent upon raiding our transports and other surface vessels, Lieutenant Jensen, often pursuing his target through bursting shells of his own anti-aircraft fire, personally shot down two of the planes and damaged others. By his cool courage and superb airmanship, he contributed materially to the success of our forces in a vigorous attack which destroyed a total of nine Japanese bombers and effectively disrupted the enemy’s plans. His superb airmanship and unyielding devotion to duty, maintained with complete disregard for his own personal safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.