The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Edmond George Konrad (NSN: 0-71544), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane and Commander of Air Group SEVENTEEN (AG-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during an attack on major units of the enemy Fleet and strong harbor defense installations in the Kure Bay Area of Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Flying a fighter plane, Commander Konrad led his group into the attack through extremely intense anti-aircraft fire, inflicting severe damage upon the harbor installations, and sinking several merchant vessels. Under his gallant leadership and direction, numerous bomb hits were scored on a battleship, a large aircraft carrier, a small carrier, two cruisers, and two destroyers. His devotion to duty 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 a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Edmond George Konrad (NSN: 0-71544), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Plane and Commander of Air Group SEVENTEEN (AG-17), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), during an attack against an enemy surface Force in the East China Sea, on 7 April 1945. When the air coordinator for our Task Group was forced to return to base, Commander Konrad assumed command and, despite adverse weather conditions which compelled him to circle the target area at low altitude in range of intense anti-aircraft fire, directed a series of successful attacks in which numerous torpedo and bomb hits were scored on a battleship, a cruiser and four destroyers, all of which eventually sank. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.