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.